27 October 2020
23 October 2020
Update on the NEU's COVID response
As half-term approaches I am contacting you to provide an update on the union’s response to the escalating COVID crisis in the region and describe some developments we will be carrying forward over the break, into November and beyond.
With the whole of the Region now in the second tier of the
government’s new community restrictions it is important that we build on the
excellent work done in spring and summer to ensure that schools and education
professionals contribute meaningfully to the maintenance of safe workplaces and
the suppression of community transmission of the virus. While local Branches and school groups
continue to negotiate with employers, monitor
checklists and react
to outbreaks, we have, this week, taken the following steps to ensure the
voice of the profession is heard:
• The Joint General Secretaries have written to all
employers in the sector to remind them of their legal obligations and citing
new evidence on the significance of social distancing, ventilation and
infection rates among young people. The
same letter reiterates the union’s demand in respect of the safety of high-risk,
clinically vulnerable and extremely clinically vulnerable staff
• Branch Secretaries, have written to all Directors of
Public Health in the region to examine their role in advising how local
partners should work with the public to “prevent, contain and manage” outbreaks
of coronavirus with a specific emphasis on education and early years settings
• I have met with (or written to) local Council Leaders,
Metro Mayors and Members of Parliament to discuss the circumstances in which it
would be appropriate to consider implementing the range of options available to
local leaders which are set out in the government’s Contain Framework which was published on 28 August – a time
when infection rates were much lower than they are now
• We have arranged a members’ Zoom meeting on 17 November to
establish how best to respond to known problems in schools/colleges and
co-ordinate activity to maximise our influence over decision makers. If you
have not already done so you can register
for this Zoom meeting here.
• We have issued posters to every workplace highlighting
recommended “Dos
and Don’ts” intended to preserve some minimum standards on safety and
working conditions
• Via the TUC we have led discussions with other unions in
the sector to ensure an effective and joined-up approach consistent with our National
Recovery Plan for Education
• We are in the final stages of developing an App for use by
school reps (or members in schools without a rep) to flag up COVID safety and
workload concerns and escalate them collectively to school leaders with
appropriate support from union structures.
It is expected that this will be launched on 3 November by text and
email.
Much more information, advice and guidance on coronavirus
issues can be found on our dedicated webpages.
In the event that current community infection rates do not subside the
focus on schools and colleges will intensify in November and members are
therefore encouraged to remain in contact with school reps and local
officers as a means of informing decisions about a robust and appropriate
union response.
On behalf of the NEU Northern Regional Council, I wish you a
relaxing half-term and look forward to working with you to meet the multiple
challenges we anticipate over the next few weeks and months.
Best wishes
MIKE McDONALD
Regional Secretary
-
Hi, my name is Emma Thornton. I have been an English teacher for 13 years. I became a work place rep this September, after returning to w...
-
For many years now supply teachers have had to rely on work supplied to them by agencies. As we all know there are good agencies and bad age...
-
Our excellent Rep training programme is an essential tool in ensuring you're ready for whatever the role brings your way. Whether you&...
-
We've been busy planning our ever-popular programme of learning events to engage members across the region. This term we're continui...
-
Since being elected to the Supply and Home Tuition Organising Forum as delegate for the Northern Region, I have been amazed at how few pe...