NUT Industrial Action – advice to UNISON members

The NUT has announced it intends to take national strike action in a dispute over teachers’ pay, pensions and conditions.

They are intending to take this action on 26th March.

UNISON West Sussex advice to members:

  • We support the action of our colleagues in the NUT, and respect the rights of all trade unions to take industrial action. UNISON members in schools have not been balloted for strike action or action short of strike action and we therefore advise them to continue with their normal duties and responsibilities.
  • However, UNISON members should not take on any additional responsibilities being given to them directly as a result of the teachers’ industrial action.
  • School support staff should not be expected to provide cover for or take classes, where this would normally be done by teachers who are taking action. In particular, higher level teaching assistants or cover supervisors should only be taking classes or providing cover where they are contracted to do so, if it is timetabled or part of their normal duties. Staff should not be moved from the duties they would normally have carried out in order to cover classes and frustrate the industrial action of colleagues.

Members who are under pressure to cover should contact their UNISON rep, or the branch office on:
01243 777636 or office.unison@westsussex.gov.uk

Members are reminded that industrial relations legislation means only those employees who have been involved in a legal ballot are allowed to take industrial action.

Poster for Union Noticeboards:
NUT-Industrial-Action-March-2014