What is the difference between an indicative ballot and a formal ballot?
An indicative ballot is a non-binding ballot that a union holds to gauge members' interest in industrial action on specific issues. It is usually conducted online. It is the first step in a ballot process, and 60%+ of members must participate to proceed to the next phase.
A formal ballot is the second step in the ballot process and must be carried out by strict legal requirements from the government. It must be conducted by post, and over 50% of NEU members must participate for the ballot to be valid.
If a union group is able to reach these thresholds in both their indicative ballot and their formal ballot, then they are in a position to legally take strike action. Going on strike is a last resort if a negotiated agreement cannot be reached.
Why are NEU members at Harris balloting for industrial action?
NEU members at Harris Secondaries and Sixth Forms have spent a year negotiating with the Harris Federation Executive on workload, pay fairness, and the treatment of Caribbean and Overseas-Trained teachers. Hundreds have filled out surveys, over a thousand have signed letters supporting union proposals, and an overwhelming majority of members at 18 schools have pledged to strike if necessary for these proposals.
Despite this strong backing, talks with the Federation management have reached an impasse, with NEU educators involved in this campaign believing that the Federation’s current offer falls short. As a result, members are now being balloted on industrial action to push for a better deal.
How can I vote in the formal ballot?
You should receive a ballot by post at your home address from Civica Elections Services.
Follow these steps to participate in the vote:
- Open your postal ballot from Civica Elections.
- Complete the ballot form and put it into the return envelope that was included in the postal ballot package.
- To vote, you have two options: you can post it at your nearest post box, or you can bring it to school and give it to your union rep who can post it for you.
- Let fellow union members know you’ve voted by taking a picture of yourself posting the ballot and sending it to your school’s WhatsApp group AND by responding to text and email messages confirming you’ve voted. A minimum of 50% of members MUST participate for the vote to be legally valid.
If you have not received your ballot, please email [email protected]
You can vote if you are at a Harris Secondary or Sixth Form school that completed the strike pledge. If you are unsure whether your school is participating, please speak to your rep or email [email protected]
I haven’t received my postal ballot – what should I do?
If you have not received your ballot, please email [email protected] so we can resend you a new ballot. Please include your full home address in the email.
You can vote if you are at a Harris Secondary or Sixth Form school that completed the strike pledge. If you are unsure whether your school is participating, please speak to your rep or email [email protected].
What is the deadline to vote?
Votes must be posted by the 25th of February, but if everyone waits until the last minute then we will likely not meet the required minimum of 50% participation, and we will not be able to legally take strike action to move our negotiations forward.
Please vote as soon as you receive your ballot by post.
Let union colleagues know you’ve voted by taking a picture of yourself posting the ballot and sending it to your school’s WhatsApp group, then responding to text and email messages confirming you’ve voted.
Do I lose pay in the case of a strike?
No, you should not lose pay if NEU members democratically decide to take strike action at your school. In the case of local disputes, NEU members have access to ‘Sustentation Pay’ which totals your NET pay for the wages lost on days of strike action.
Please note that NEU members are in the preliminary stages of a balloting process and their hope is to be able to come to an agreement with Federation management to avoid strike action. A strike will only be considered, democratically by you and your colleagues, as a last resort.
How much is sustentation pay and how do I access it?
Sustentation pay is equivalent to the NET loss of pay for each day you participate in strike action. It is provided to all Harris NEU members who are in a legal strike position and take strike action as a part of this dispute.
If you and your NEU colleagues democratically decide to move forward with strike action, you will receive sustentation by sending in your pay slip (which shows a loss of pay due to strike action) and completed sustentation pay form to [email protected].
Can ECTs participate in strike action?
Yes, NEU members who are early career teachers (ECTs) can strike.
One thing to consider is: that if an ECT has already taken absences during the year, and their strike-action absence means their total absence is 30 days or more for the current academic year, then their ECT year may be extended. If you are concerned that strike action may lead to an extension of your ECT year, please email [email protected] for further information.
Please note that NEU members are in the preliminary stages of a balloting process and they hope to be able to come to an agreement with your employer and avoid strike action. A strike will only be considered, democratically by you and your colleagues, as a last resort.
Can trainees participate in strike action?
If you are employed by your school, then you can take strike action. If you are not employed by your school (for example, undergoing a PGCE), then you cannot take strike action. Students and trainees on the ‘salaried route’ of the Schools Direct and Teach First programs can take part in strike action as they have an employment contract with their academy.
Please note that NEU members are in the preliminary stages of a balloting process and they hope to be able to come to an agreement with Federation management and avoid strike action. A strike will only be considered, democratically by you and your colleagues, as a last resort.
Would strike action impact my Maternity Leave entitlement?
If members do have to take industrial action, most pregnant members can join a strike without affecting their maternity pay, but entitlement to statutory or contractual maternity pay can sometimes be affected by taking strike action. If you have less than a year in service with your current employer, or if the strike days fall in the eight weeks immediately before the 15th week before your expected week of childbirth, contact [email protected] for further guidance.
Please note that NEU members are in the preliminary stages of a balloting process and they hope to be able to come to an agreement with their employer and avoid strike action. A strike will only be considered, democratically by you and your colleagues, as a last resort.
When will NEU members take strike action and, how long will the strike action be?
No dates have been set for strike action. If you and your colleagues win your formal postal ballot at the end of February, then you must serve at least 2 weeks' notice to the employer before taking strike action meaning that you won't be in a legal strike position until mid-March.
NEU educators are in the preliminary stages of a balloting process and hope to be able to come to an agreement with your employer and avoid strike action. A strike will only be considered, democratically by you and your colleagues, as a last resort and NEU members will participate in decision-making on when and how long strike action will be.
