NEU members, will you follow their guidance?

[Justagame]

Watching events anxiously. From NEU's latest statement this evening to their members:

'If your head asks you if you will be available for wider working after 1 June, we urge you to reply that you are waiting further advice from your union.'

This gives me hope that the unions may be able to exert some pressure here. But, I know those of us working in MATs don't always feel confident making these statements to their head and many don't even have reps in school.

Will you do it?

I hate to say it but I think we are going to have to go back...I know it sucks and we won’t be able to distance properly etc but nothing will be different come September so it’s either never teach again until there is a vaccine/cure or go in when asked. I can’t see what will change between June and Sept tbh and surely there will be fewer other bugs going round at least that we usually get?
I’m teaching remotely full time at the mo with all lessons having at least 1mins of live time and kids are not really learning so goodness only knows what is happening to those only getting sheets set.

I'll follow NEU advice. I'm not convinced my Trust give a shit about my health and wellbeing. I'm absolutely NOT going back IF the Union will back teachers in saying it's not safe and support us.

I have little faith in the NEU however. I suspect they will do nothing to support members.

I had that email from them, although I’m not officially a member. (I signed a petition from them the other day, so they have my email address).

Can I still make the same statement about awaiting further advice?

This is terrible. I’m disgusted that the DFE have blatantly ignored all protests from unions and education professionals alike.

Changingnames34, you'd have to join the union to be able to make that statement.

But, if ever there was a time to join, it's now. If they don't represent our interests successfully, I'll not continue to be a member though.

If the NEU will back us then yes i'll follow their guidance.

I’ll be following union guidance

Came here to see if there would be a thread on this. No, I'm in favour of a wider opening in June (although I would have preferred for years 10 and 12 to go back first), so I won't be. I'm secondary though so not sure it'll be relevant.

I'm actually debating leaving the NEU over this as it seems wrong to stay a member if I'm going against their position.

Definitely following the union guidance.

I'm ready to go back and will also leave my union if they protest that schools shouldn't open in June.

Why send R/Y1 back first? Like they are old enough to be able to understand or abide by social distancing?

As another poster said in another thread, economic reasons in that the parents of these younger children can then work as they have childcare?

Secondary kids (who do understand social distancing in the main) can stay at home far more easily whilst parents work...

Don't leave the union even if you don't agree on this issue, you may need them in the future for a raft of reasons.
I will go back when asked but I am in the rare position where I trust my SLT to put health (ours and the students) first.

I'm not with NEU but NASUWT but haven't had any emails or any info from them at all and considering joining NEU instead. At least they've put out a communication; I'm not sure what my union is doing. If their stance is stronger then I may change. I'll go back if I have to but they really should be calling the government out on the no social distancing and no PPE when everyone else who is working gets to social distance and use PPE

I will do as advised by the union. All those ignoring them, you just make it harder for the rest of us right? What’s the point in being a member?

Can anyone tell me the neu's position on going back during pregnancy?
I googled it but can't seem to find an answer.
Thanks

Of course. We all want to go back,but this proposal is not safe. It's not just the NEU - the NAHT, JMB and Unison are also consulting.

I'm so ready to go back but I don't think my school (independent) is planning on moving from online teaching before September. I can see their reasoning because of the difficulties of getting our international students back with the quarantine requirements, etc, but I'm a bit gutted. I was really hoping to see my Yr 10s and 12s before summer.

I don't really understand what people think will have changed by September.

I will follow their advice, as a secondary teacher.

However, for the moment it's a bit moot for me- I was in school today and the SLT who were in felt they couldn't risk assess everything to reopen on 1st June anyway, and they aren't prepared to reopen without a risk assessment. Apparently this is being communicated to the DfE.

Can I still make the same statement about awaiting further advice?

If you're in a union, I don't see why not. If it's not the NEU, you would need to contact them and find out their position, though.

@FlowersAreBeautiful NASUWT have put out a statement are are doing a survey. They have emailed members and the statement is on their Facebook (and probably website).

I will do as advised by the union. All those ignoring them, you just make it harder for the rest of us right? What’s the point in being a member?

Serious question - are we not allowed to be a member and disagree? From what I understand - and please do correct me if I am wrong - we are being advised not to communicate with school about potential back to work plans.

But isn't dialogue and communication the way forward?

@CoRhona I am not sure if this is the official line, but our school rep has said we are free to discuss any plans around school reopening and say what we are comfortable with BUT we shouldn't undertake tasks specifically relating to returning to work e.g. completing health forms/risk assessments and should say we are waiting for union advice.

Don't leave the union even if you don't agree on this issue, you may need them in the future for a raft of reasons.

If I were to leave the NEU I would be looking at alternatives, not just fending for myself I think I would feel a bit guilty being part of a union but refusing to take part in their collective action, as surely that's kind of the point of being a member?

Although when I was initially considering leaving it was because I thought they were going to ballot for strike action, but now I'm less sure. So maybe it won't come to that anyway.

My headteacher has been supportive to us staff and the community and I want to help plan for the schools to be open. I am a member of NEU but I don't think I can support this. We need to plan for June and beyond now.

Thanks Sansa.