Wednesday 19 February 2014

Countdown to March 26

Download as a flyer from http://goo.gl/B2rwFm
BUILD FOR NATIONAL STRIKE ACTION IN YOUR SCHOOL ON MARCH 26:

As Review Body steps in to rein back Gove from further attacks ...

NOW STRIKE TO WIN BACK OUR PAY, OUR PENSIONS  … and OUR WEEKENDS !


1. STEP UP THE PRESSURE ON GOVE: STRIKE ON MARCH 26
Michael Gove has already chosen to make enemies of the teaching profession. Now he is even starting to fall out with his friends!
Michael Wilshaw has spoken out about the high number of newly-qualified staff being driven out of teaching. The Review Body has rejected most of Gove’s plans to make workload even worse.
For once, Gove has had to take a step back. Now it’s time to step forward and push him back some more.

2. HOLD A SCHOOL MEETING TO PREPARE FOR ACTION
National strike action will hit the headlines and force politicians to take note. Nobody takes action lightly but we need to make a stand for teachers and education:
* 68 is too late to retire - and we are having to pay more out of our salaries for the privilege.
* Performance Pay will divide staff, damage education and be used to block our pay rises.
* 50 - 60 hour working weeks are unsustainable. It’s high time we won a real work/life balance.

3. GET OUR MESSAGE TO PARENTS
Our strike isn’t just about  defending teachers. We are also striking to defend children’s education too.
The National NUT has produced a new ‘Stand Up for Education’ parents’ leaflet explaining the damage being done by Gove’s policies. Call the NUT if you need some copies sent to you.
Ask your Head if the leaflet can be distributed to parents and/or quoted in letters home about the strike. If not, make plans to leaflet parents outside the school-gates or in the community. 

4. GOT A QUESTION?  - ASK YOUR UNION!
Most teachers will have taken part in other strikes and will have learned to ignore the misinformation and threats that the press and some managers may spread. However,  there are still bound to be lots of questions and  queries to answer:
* Look out for the Strike FAQs on the National NUT website.
* Feedback questions and queries from your school. Do feel free to email me and I will get back with an answer as quickly as I can.

5. TALK TO YOUR COLLEAGUES
Other teaching unions will not be joining the March 26 strike in England, although UCAC will be in Wales.
Many members of the NASUWT, in particular, will be unhappy that their Union isn’t taking united national action alongside the NUT.
Remind your Head and colleagues that no other trade unionist should be doing the work of a striking NUT member. If you think steps are being taken by school management to undermine action, ask for advice.

6. SUPPORT LOCAL ACTIVITIES  
* Make sure your school is represented at Local NUT Association meetings to build for the strike.
* Look out for news of meetings and public campaigning in your area. In particular, Saturday 8 March is a date earmarked for NUT street stalls. 
* On March 19, there is a pre-strike London NUT rally at 5.30pm at NUT HQ near Euston/Kings X. Come along to build for action on March 26 - and to prepare for further action in the summer term.

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