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On the fringes

Unions into Schools

A wealth of resources designed to inform school pupils about the role and importance of trade unions was launched at Annual Conference.

The NASUWT supported the TUC in developing the Unions into Schools project which aims to make young people aware of the benefits of being in a trade union when they move into the world of work.

A fringe meeting allowed Conference delegates to learn more about the project and view some of the online resources available for teachers to use with their students

Carl Roper from the TUC explained that just 10% of workers aged under 25 are in a trade union and the project aims to raise awareness of the work of unions and counter the negative image often associated with the movement.

Former NASUWT President Sue Rogers, who has helped to develop the resources, added: “Using these resources gives us an opportunity to wake young people up to the fact that unions are a force for positive change, decency, fairness and social justice.”

The Unions into Schools resources are available at www.unionsintoschools.org.uk.

International work

A democratic and free labour movement is a fundamental part of achieving social justice across the globe, delegates were told at a packed fringe on the NASUWT’s international work.

Democracy campaigners from Iraq, Zimbabwe and Burma provided stark testimonies of the abuses of human rights still taking place in their countries and appealed for continued support from UK trade unionists in fighting the repressive regimes.

Waihnin Pwint Thon, a pro-democracy activist in Burma, said: “Even though there is a new government, there are no new freedoms, human rights abuses continue, and those ruling Burma clearly have no intention of introducing any genuine reforms to move towards democracy.”

Pensions

The NASUWT continued to advise members on the Coalition Government’s planned changes to the teachers’ pensions by holding a practical advice surgery. Visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/Pensions for more details.

Scottish hustings

Scottish election candidates presented their vision for education in Scotland at a fringe meeting. In attendance was Michael Russell, Education Minister and SNP member, Ken Macintosh from Labour and Katie Gordon of the Liberal Democrats

NASUWT General Secretary Chris Keates also addressed delegates making clear the position of the Union on education in Scotland.

“The first clear advice I have for all politicians is we do not want English strategies in Scottish schools. Indeed, we don’t want the Westminster Coalition’s English strategies in English schools. We want Scottish solutions for Scottish schools. What unites all parties is a desire for the best possible education system. We share that ambition.”

Be Well Teach Well

New online support for teachers to improve their mental wellbeing was unveiled at Annual Conference.

The NASUWT is sponsoring Be Well Teach Well, which is being developed by Teacher Support Network in partnership with Oxford University.

The Union recognises that mental ill health is an increasing problem among teachers and is committed to tackling this issue. Teachers wishing to take part in a pilot study can register their interest at www.bewellteachwell.org.uk.

Robin Hood Tax

The fight to make the financial sector pay for the current economic crisis continued at Conference.

The NASUWT is calling for the introduction of a Robin Hood Tax, a tiny 0.05% tax on all global financial transactions, as part of its alternative strategy to dealing with the deficit. This would generate £20 billion annually, enough to prevent cuts to public services and protect jobs.

Find out more at www.robinhoodtax.org.

E-safety in schools

Staying safe online was the theme of a popular fringe showing teachers how to protect themselves when using technology.

The NASUWT has led the way on tackling cyberbullying and further advice on e-safety is available at www.nasuwt.org.uk/ESafety.

Further details of the fringes and seminars are available at www.nasuwt.org.uk/Conference2011


Solidarity in UNISON

(Photo captioned: Christina McAnea: Ready to win)

A message of solidarity from trade union colleagues was given to Conference by Christina McAnea of UNISON.

Ms McAnea, UNISON’s National Secretary for Education and Children’s Services, commended the NASUWT for its robust and principled stand to protect public services and public sector workers from the impact of the Coalition Government’s cuts.

Ms McAnea highlighted the abolition of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) by ministers, on which UNISON was represented, as evidence of the threat to national frameworks of pay and conditions for school staff.

“Getting rid of negotiating machinery for support staff is just the first step. As we have heard, teachers’ pay and conditions are coming under threat and are likely to be the next target of this Government.”

She rounded on claims of fairness, freedom and autonomy which have repeatedly been made by the Coalition, saying that planned reforms to pensions amount to little more than ‘work longer, pay more and get less.’

Ms McAnea, who since Conference has become UNISON’s new National Secretary for Health, urged trade union members from across the public sector to fight the Coalition’s plans together in a disciplined and co-ordinated way.

She said: “Like the NASUWT, we are currently taking part in government negotiations on pensions and we will see them through.

“We need to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

“If we move to industrial action, we will be ready and we will win.