NUT News 22 September 2001
Tragedy and infamy in the United States brings a halt to the TUC congress
Comprehensive Education (Completed TUC Business):
The denigration by Government of our schools, the demoralisation of teachers and the undermining of the successes of schools was condemned by Congress in adopting a motion moved by the NUT. The motion, now TUC policy, opposed the Government's proposals for a two-tier system of secondary education; the expansion of specialist and advanced specialist schools; and increased forms of selection and city academies. The defence and promotion of comprehensive education will now be at the heart of the TUC's campaign on education.
Pay and conditions for teachers (Completed Business)
Through a composite motion supported by the affiliated teachers' organisations, the TUC urged the Government to agree that teachers' pay and conditions in England and Wales should be no less favourable than those in Scotland including a working week of 35 hours. The TUC now supports the demand for an independent and unfettered review of teachers' pay. Post-school education The NUT succeeded in modifying a motion on post-school education so that in seeking a "level-playing field between college and 6th forms", there would be no reduction in real terms in any sector. This would protect the position of 6th-form colleges and secondary schools with 6th-forms.
A message to America
"NUT members throughout England and Wales were shocked and outraged over the murderous events on Tuesday 11 September. For the children of the United States, particularly those in and around New York and Washington, this is a time of terrible trauma. It will make huge demands of the teachers of America, challenges to which they will rise with skill, professionalism and a concern for pupils which will transcend their own distress. To the two great education unions of America, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, our hearts go out in compassion and sympathy to our American colleagues. The NUT has many common interests with and many friends in the NEA and the AFT. We have worked closely on a wide range of issues including professional development and privatisation. On your behalf I have written to both unions in sympathy and to offer any support which we can give, even at a distance, both now and later." - Doug McAvoy General Secretary .
Uncompleted TUC Business: On the closure of the TUC Congress, crucial motions on education were remitted to the General Council. These included the motion on PRIVATISATION which was firmed up by the NUT to oppose for-profit schools. On the WHITE PAPER the NUT had secured the support of the NASUWT and the ATL for an urgency motion opposing the proposals in the White Paper for privatisation and the extension of the divisive selection system in secondary education. It criticised the Government for its failure to address the immediate problems of the TEACHER SHORTAGE CRISIS.
Stop payment by results
The five teachers' organisations have agreed a joint submissions to the School Teachers' Review Body on the 2002 pay award including the threshold arrangements. On the threshold standards, only the NUT in England called for outright removal of the pupil progress standard to end payment by results. In Wales, the NUT is supported by UCAC.