Education unions

National Union of Teachers (NUT), Association of University Teachers (AUT), National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) and other education unions

older

UCU debates how to turn round from defeats

The annual Congress of the Universities and College Union (UCU) was held on 1-3 June 2022, with day-long “Sector Conferences” for the distinct Higher Education (HE, university staff) and Further Education (college staff) members separately on 2 June. As with the 2020 and 2021 Congresses, it was entirely online with some 200 to 300 delegates from branches across the UK. There were slight improvements at this Congress, with voting taking place "live" (rather than by eballot afterwards) and some speeches "from the floor" being allowed (although the majority were still decided by registration...

Stand with Ukraine and its labour movement: a letter to UCU Congress delegates and activists

Bombed out building, National University of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine From Denys Pilash, political scientist at Kyiv National University and activist in Ukrainian socialist organisation Sotsialniy Rukh (Social Movement), and Rhian Keyse, Birkbeck UCU and incoming UCU NEC member Dear comrades, At its Congress this week, UCU has the opportunity to take a strong stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and its labour movement. We urge delegates to pass Motion 23 and amendments strengthening it, and reject Motion 22 . The Russian military’s bombing of universities, colleges and schools in...

A strike for LGBT rights

“We are here on the picket line to ensure that students who are LGBTQ+ – including those who are LGBTQ+ and religious – feel seen, safe and heard.” – a JFS striker On 12 May, workers at the John Fisher School in Purley, South London – members of the National Education Union, mainly teachers – took their sixth day of strike action since late April in an unusual and important struggle. They may strike again in the week beginning 16 May. The John Fisher School (JFS) strike is a legal, official dispute, balloted for under the anti-trade union laws , with demands about the governance of the school...

Scottish FE teachers push on pay

After no progress in pay talks with Scottish Further Education (FE) employers on 13 May, the campaign by members of the EIS-FELA trade union to win their pay demand for 2021-22 continues, with further strikes in the coming weeks. The pay claim by EIS-FELA – unlike in England, FE in Scotland is not covered by the UCU but by the FE section of the Scottish teachers union, the EIS – was lodged in June of 2021, with the aim of the increase being implemented in September. The claim was for a flat-rate pay rise of £2,000 across all salary points. But “over the course of negotiations, acting in good...

Solidarity with the John Fisher strike!

The strike at the John Fisher Catholic school in the south London borough of Sutton, over the cancelling of an author’s visit and the sacking of governors in connection with it, has now been widely reported. See, for instance, here and here.

The author, Simon James Green writes teen fiction that...

Report of NEU conference 2022

The first in-person National Education Union (NEU) conference since April 2019 committed to build towards a ballot in either summer or autumn term if the School Teachers Review Body comes up with a poor pay award.

An amendment from Lewisham District with a clearer time line, and which more clearly...

Solidarity with the John Fisher strike!

The strike at the John Fisher Catholic school in the south London borough of Sutton, over the cancelling of an author’s visit and the sacking of governors in connection with it, has now been widely reported. See, for instance, here and here . The author, Simon James Green writes teen fiction that includes LGBT characters and themes. The first strike day was 28 April, with more in the coming weeks. We are writing to express solidarity with the strikers and the school community, urge the labour movement to rally round, and add a few thoughts. We believe this reaffirms the need to abolish...

NEU conference debates Ukraine

The first in-person National Education Union (NEU) conference since April 2019 committed to build towards a ballot in either summer or autumn term if the School Teachers Review Body comes up with a poor pay award. An amendment from Lewisham District with a clearer time line, and which more clearly included support staff, was largely gutted by the passing of earlier motions which it was said to contradict, but the speeches and mood of conference suggested that the leadership at least wanted to seem to respond seriously to increasing rank and file pressure on pay. The union will be working with...

Two speeches on Ukraine at NEU conference 2022

The 2022 National Education Union (NEU) conference saw heated debate about Ukraine. In the end the conference voted down the only motion available, a Stop the War Coalition-type one (more on what happened here). Below are excerpts of two speeches given by Ukraine Solidarity Campaign supporters in...

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.