NEU Northern Ireland

NI teachers’ pay dispute update

NEU teacher members may be aware that the union (and other teachers unions forming the Northern Ireland Teachers Council) reached agreement with school employers on a 4.25% pay increase for 2017-18 and 2018-19 as part of an overall package which included nine review areas, and a range of “immediate actions to be progressed”.

The detail of this package remains confidential until we are able to conduct a ballot of members on a formal offer.

With great regret, we must advise that the agreement, and the funding package to support it, has been diverted or referred to the inter-party talks process at Stormont.

This decision was undertaken unilaterally without reference to NEU or other teachers’ unions. The effect of it, as such, is that the ‘timeline’ for putting into effect the agreement reached has been ‘long-fingered’ indefinitely. As such, industrial action will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

A more detailed report is in the reps bulletin.

Northern Ireland

NEU Reps bulletin Sept 2019

Agreement was reached in the summer term on a pay deal of 4.25% for all teachers at all grades, including Allowances. This is now subject to a business case proposal from the Department of Education to the Department of Finance. 

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NEU industrial action guidance

We have revised, and reissued, our NEU industrial action advice for the 2019/2020 academic year which comprises:

• Industrial action guidance for 2019/2020;
• Specific guidance on non co-operation with inspections and the inspectorate; and
• Specific guidance on non co-operation with end of key stage assessment .

You will note that the guidance on school inspections, and the ETI inspectorate, has changed in response to potential and anticipated revised guidance being issued to inspectors (essentially in anticipation of a more invasive form of inspection during industrial action).

NI CPD opportunities and training courses for 2019-20

CPD can take place in several different ways; attending courses, reading a relevant book or watching a colleague perform within their role are some examples of how you can access CPD in your workplace and with your union. The professional development programme reflects the diverse and inclusive nature of NEU’s membership, and courses have been designed for members in every sector and role.

NEU “BYTE SIZED” courses

NEU can directly provide a range of courses to your school / college as staff training or at ‘INSET’ days, for instance. Our courses are skills-based, giving you practical tools that can be taken back into your workplace and beyond. To get the right course for you, we suggest thinking about not only what would benefit your institution and students, but also what would be of most value to your own personal development. Courses include:

• Protecting your professional identity online (1 hour)
• The multi-ethnic classroom (half day)
• Creativity in the classroom (half day)
• Managing classroom behaviour (half day)
• Managing investigations (aimed at school/college managers) (2 Hours)
• Understanding your pension (1 hour)
• Teachers’ terms and conditions (the “Jordanstown” agreement) (1 hour)
• Workload and managing stress in the workplace (1 hour)

Member CPD

Accessing professional development is an important part of being an educational professional. It is the responsibility of the employer and employee to ensure that performance management, PRSD and any other professional requirements are met. Therefore, it is important that you receive support from your employer to attend this course, not just in the time away from the workplace but also in travel costs. 

There are no course fees for members to attend a NEU CPD course, but we do not cover travel or accommodation costs. To help you secure both time-off and financial support from your employer, we have produced guidance on your rights to time off, how to request training from your employer and your rights if your request is refused. Contact the NEU Regional Office or call 028 9078 2020 for more information..

Courses for early years members

NEU organises in the early years sector through a partnership agreement with early years. Courses we can offer are subject to demand.

• Critical conversations.
• Managing challenging behaviour in the early years.
• Delivering multi ethnic early years provision.
• Voice Care for early years practitioners.
• Protecting your online professional identity (personal  use of social media).
• Child protection overview.

Reps training

NEU Northern Ireland (in partnership with INTO & UTU) also offer a series of training courses each year in both Belfast and Derry.

Induction course for new school reps (SR1): 

9:30 – 15:30 on Wednesday 23rd October

This is a one-day induction course for all new NEU School representatives and will provide initial training on the role and responsibilities of the rep as well as an update on current issues.

School peps training x 2 Days (SR2)

This course is suitable for NEU reps who have completed the induction training for school reps. The 2-day course covers union structures, recruitment, dealing with members’ queries and representation, negotiation and casework skills.

Induction course for new health & safety reps (HS1)

9:30 – 15:30 Tuesday 5th November

This is a one-day induction course for all new NEU H&S representatives and will provide initial training on the role and responsibilities of the rep as well as an update on current issues.

Health & safety rep training 2 days (HS2)

This 2-day course is suitable for NEU H&S Reps who have completed the Induction course. It will cover the role and responsibilities of the H&S Rep, an understanding of health and safety legislation and how this can be interpreted in the workplace.

Union learning reps stage 1 - 3 days (ULR)

This is a new course, designed to identify learning needs of members in schools and promote learning in the workplace. NEU will be seeking to identify and train new ‘Union Learning Reps’ ULRs to analyse training needs of members in their school, provide information to members on training matters, promote the value of learning and training and consult with the employer about carrying out training. 

Reps can also access training opportunities through the ICTU.