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To: Principals, Schools with UTU members
Our Ref: 139/520
23rd November
Dear Principal,
INDUSTRIAL ACTION - 30TH NOVEMBER 2011
The UTU ballot for Industrial Action resulted in almost 60% of members voting for strike action. This fell short of the two-thirds majority required under the UTU Rules and Constitution. UTU members will not, therefore, be taking strike action on 30th November and should be paid for the day as normal. The UTU has suggested that they may wish to donate all or part of their day’s salary to a charity of their choice.
UTU members will be available for work on the day but will not teach or supervise any pupils or classes that they would not normally have had on that day. In the case where Senior management are taking strike action no UTU member should be asked to take on any additional responsibility for the running of the school, for example, a Vice Principal should not be asked to act up to Principal where the Principal is taking strike action.
The UTU representative in the school can supply you with a current list of permanent UTU members. There may also be temporary teacher members of UTU on your staff and you should establish individually from them whether they will be available to teach on the day of the strike.
It is important that plans are made well in advance about what will be happening on 30th November so that UTU members are made aware whether pupils will be in school that day. Following a risk assessment should the school decide to close, UTU members should be advised whether they need to report to school on the day or whether they may work at home.
It is our understanding that all members of ATL, INTO, NASUWT & NAHT will be taking strike action unless individual members advise their Principals specifically to the contrary.
In cases where there are demonstrations or picket lines outside the school UTU members have been advised to go in to work as normal. Lunch break is not included within directed time and UTU members have been advised that they may take part in rallies or demonstrations at that time.
ACTION FROM 1ST DECEMBER 2011
In the UTU ballot members almost 80% of members who voted said they wished to take action short of strike action. The Central Executive Committee of the UTU met on Monday 21st November and sanctioned the following action to commence from 1st December as part of an escalating programme of action.
NO UTU MEMBER SHOULD CO-OPERATE WITH SCHOOL INSPECTORS. This will include non-involvement in scheduled inspections, non-cooperation with school inspectors who visit the school for any purpose and no communication of data of any kind to the ETI.
The UTU has informed the ETI that it is our intention to commence this lawful industrial action and we ask for your support in ensuring that UTU members can carry out this action unhindered. As you are aware, the ballot provides protection for all teachers engaging in action of this sort providing a legal ballot has been conducted.
The advice sent out from one Employing Authority states:
“Employees have a legitimate right to participate in such industrial action and should not be pressurised or victimised for so doing.”
EXEMPTION: The CEC has agreed that those schools currently involved in programmes of Formal Intervention will be exempt from this action.
We appreciate that Industrial Action places an additional burden on school principals but we would ask for your assistance in ensuring that it is managed in a way that will maintain good working relationships.
All Principals are advised to follow closely the guidance issued by their Employing Authority. Any UTU Principal who requires additional advice should not hesitate in calling Headquarters to speak to an Official.
Yours faithfully
Avril Hall-Callaghan
GENERAL SECRETARY
