Do schools close in a strike or do they get supply teachers in?

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As the title.
Do they get supply teachers in?

A useful post Posta. Thank you.

what would happen if none of us told our head (both NEU and not) so the head is forced to close - how does the head know who is striking and who isn’t in terms of pay? Surely everyone could then say they weren’t striking, or would we have to rely on teachers’ integrity?

Can people give more info about a picket line? I a literally the only one from my school striking - I know this for certain. Can I form my own picket or does it have to be an official thing? Could an HLTA really claim they didn't want to cross the picket? They are not normally in my class that day but would cover me if I were off normally if that makes sense. He is essentially a cover supervisor, but we don't normally use that term in primary.

what would happen if none of us told our head (both NEU and not) so the head is forced to close - how does the head know who is striking and who isn’t in terms of pay? Surely everyone could then say they weren’t striking, or would we have to rely on teachers’ integrity?
In the schools I've worked in members of the non-striking unions or staff who opted not to support their union's strike action reported for work as usual and signed in.

I feel lucky. Our head is totally onside and all our TA's have refused to cover classes in support of us. The school will be closed.

The head does not know who is in which union- even if they knew which union you were in previously you could have switched recently.

I am not sure what the legalities are in terms of NASUWT members telling the head they are striking, but non-union members can strike with the NEU and can tell the head they will strike if they wish.

If the school is closed, to receive pay, you'd normally have to attend work in order to sign a register or possibly work from home online. If your head expects no-one to attend, they may not offer this option.

If you are e.g. NASUWT and happen to be ill on the day of the strike, you can follow normal sickness procedures and would still receive normal pay.

Personally, I would not lie to the head, but just refuse to answer if asked- if you are uncomfortable, refer them to your union rep.

You can be a picket line of one, and "supporters" within the NEU from other schools or retired members can join you, they would not be picketers, though.

You must have a picket line supervisor in your local area. If you want to picket, you should contact e.g. your district secretary and ask for advice. It's very likely if you are in a town, another school will have a picket line and they can "supervise" you. If you are in a small village, I am not quite sure how it works though. But you could become your own picket line supervisor if you were willing to be trained.

You are not allowed to stop traffic or obstruct the highway in any way, and you need e.g. the head's permission to picket on school property.

Employees not directly involved in industrial action can refuse to cross a picket line on the day of the strike. My understanding is that NASUWT members who have been balloted can't do this, but support staff are "not directly involved" so can refuse to cross.

NEU advice is : “Where picketing takes place, employees not directly involved in the industrial action may refuse to cross picket lines. Such employees can normally be regarded as being on strike and treated accordingly.” From here: nationaleducationunion.foleon.com/pay-up-save-our-schools/save-our-schools-members-hub/?overlay=support-staff-in-england-faqs

The LGA guidance is here:www.local.gov.uk/our-support/workforce-and-hr-support/employment-relations/employment-law-topics-and-e-guides-7?UA-1767876-39&UA-1767876-39

I would suggest discussing the situation with your picket supervisor and local union officers though, and they will help you!

This is great, well done! And Well done your TAs and head.

I suppose what I mean is, what if all the NEU members refuse to tell the head. Head closes school. Could all the NEU members then just say on the day that they were never going to strike, and still get paid. Even if they have to go in and sign a register? Sorry - my first experience!

Yes they can. And members of other unions that didn't make the threshold can also not supply the info re their intentions, but still turn up on the day to sign in and report for duty.

I know for a fact that half of our staff are NASUWT. And of the half who are NEU very few of them voted to strike or intend to, from private conversations we have had that the HT is not aware of.

I'm forseeing the HT (whose own union did vote to strike but who is the type of head who would not choose to do that themselves) being extremely put out if we end up going down the closing due to not knowing route if people choose to keep quiet, then the majority of staff turn up to work that day after all.

In that situation can she (the HT) then choose to put out the message to the parents that the school is (or at least those classes with teachers in) open after all and to send their pupils in?

Think it’s probably a bit late by then?

My head is really cross that the NAHT ballot didn’t reach the strike threshold as well, and is very supportive of the NEU. The school will be closed. The TAs will be in as normal but no teaching staff as we are all NEU.

Will you all declare to the head that you’re striking on the day?

Everyone is NEU and they have already expressed what they intend to do. I know we don’t have to, but people have told the head-it makes their job simpler.

I’m a TA in the GMB Union. I am due to cover PPA in the afternoon of the strike. I assume I can be made to cover the PPA as usual, but am within my rights to refuse to cover the striking teacher in the morning? (I want to be sure of my rights, I know I will be asked to do this)

We’ve been emailed very provocative guidance from our LEA that reminds us if we choose not to cross a picket line, but aren’t part of the union/ the part of the union who met vote threshold, that we may be considered to be in breach of our contract of employment (as support staff), which I think is unnecessarily sabre rattling and aggressive…

I thought you could chose not to cross the picket line if there is one at your workplace though even if you were not in the striking union?

Yes, this is correct. Your union should give you advice, but if not contact them, or speak to the NEU rep in school.

If you are in an LA maintained school, the PPA cover must be "supervised" by a qualified teacher if the usual teacher is not in school.

It's very likely that if the teacher is on strike they will leave no planning- I would also ask the head what activities they expect you to do during the PPA, and make it clear you will not be planning anything!

If you are willing, I would share this with your NEU rep in school, and your own union rep (if it's a different person). Hopefully they can pass it on to the relevant people who can make the LEA aware of the local government organisation advice on this point.

To give them the benefit of the doubt, do they mean you would be docked a day's pay? You would be treated the same as a striking worker, and not paid and unfortunately you would not have access to the NEU hardship fund.

If they are suggesting you would face disciplinary action, the LGA's own advice says you should normally treat those refusing to cross a picket line as if they are on strike- www.local.gov.uk/our-support/workforce-and-hr-support/employment-relations/employment-law-topics-and-e-guides-7?UA-1767876-39