On the 18 June, workers from across the UK gathered in London to support the We demand better: March and Rally, organised by the TUC.
Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary commented:
‘if the government won’t do what’s right, then we will. We are the trade union movement – and standing up for working people is what we do. And that includes workers who feel they have no alternative but to vote for industrial action to win fair treatment.’
Members will be aware of reports of potential ballots for industrial action being discussed by the NEU and NASUWT. NSEAD would like to make all members aware of their position and the legal requirements for lawful ballot that all trade unions are bound by. Michele Gregson, NSEAD General Secretary has issued the following statement:
‘NSEAD is naturally supportive of a pay award that increases teachers’ pay, especially one that takes account of historic pay suppression, current inflationary pressures, and the current cost of living crisis.
'NSEAD is aware that after the release of the government response to the School Teachers Review Body recommendation on Teachers’ pay (in September/October), the NEU are proposing to hold membership wide indicative ballots where they will be assessing the appetite of NEU members for industrial action about teachers’ pay. The NASUWT have indicated they will similarly ballot their membership in November.
'For legally protected industrial action to be sanctioned by either of these trade unions, the Trade Union Act requires that there is a 50% turnout requirement of the total number of members balloted, alongside 40% of all members being balloted being in favour of industrial action. This is an extremely high threshold, and all Trade Unions proceed with caution when considering calling a ballot for action.
'NSEAD is firmly of the belief that industrial action is the last resort, although we will monitor the pay award and the situation closely and as it develops.
'If the results of indicative ballots held by the large trade unions demonstrate a desire for a ballot of their members, the NSEAD will conduct our own consultation with members about whether they wish to move to a ballot for strike action. In that instance a proposal for an indicative ballot will be raised by the General Secretary, and will be put to the Executive (NSEAD Council) for approval by majority vote. If Council is in favour, the General Secretary will conduct an indicative ballot to gauge member views on a potential ballot for industrial action. If the majority are in favour of strike action, the General Secretary will call for a ballot to be held, in accordance with the requirements of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation Act 1992), and as set out in Section 10 of the NSEAD Constitution’
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