Author Archives: Stefan Simms

All Members Union Meeting Tues 5:30 pm

What Can We Expect From A Labour Government?

Tues 2nd July 5:30 pm

Hanwell Community Centre, Westcott Crescent, W7 1PD

Hot evening meal provided – Curry

With the expected Labour victory on July 4th, what can we expect from Labour and how can we campaign to improve the working conditions of staff and the learning environment of our pupils? This will be the key agenda item.

Ealing NEU General Meeting (GM) Agenda:

1. What will a future Labour Government do for Education? And how can we campaign and/or persuade a future Labour Government to do more for Education?

National NEU Elections:

2a. National Executive By-Election. Stefan Simms is standing down from the national executive. Your current national executive members for outer West London & Ealing Ctte are all recommending a vote for Lucy Cox from Brent

2b. Ealing Ctte is recommending a vote for Mairead Caravan for Membership & Equalities National Officer.

Local Elections:

3a Michael London from William Perkins & Robert Brown from Holy Family are standing to replace Dee Higgins – who will be sorely missed

3b Shini Mahendran Supply Teacher is standing for the Local Equalities officer for Disabled Members

4 Reports/Updates from current local disputes (as it stands 01/07/24):

i) Catholic VA  Academisation  T&Cs: Holy family, Our Lady Of Visitation, St Anselms, St Vincents, St Joesphs, St John Fisher, & Cardinal Wiseman are all set to strike on Election day. Talks occurred last Thursday. A reassurance letter has been sent to the NEU. Members meet 1/7/24 to decide whether this is sufficient or to strike.

ii) Villiers High, many issues, 80% turnout 68% yes vote for strike action. There has been progress towards a mutually acceptable resolution, however formal conclusion has yet to be reach.

iii) St Benedicts Independent school have now taken 4 days of strike action in defence of their pensions (TPS). Management has just offered an additional 6% pay increase. This would cover the cost for the those opting to staying in the TPS, who have to take a pay cut of 5.75 % in order to stay in the TPS. Clearly their is money available despite what the school says! NEU & NASUWT commit to further strikes next term.

iv) Horsenden NEU anonymous survey of staff plus recent actions by the school reveal many alarming issues.

5. Laptops for newly elected co- treasurers (If confirmed by this meeting)


 

 

The End of PRP!? Tues 14th May 5:30 pm

The End Of Performance Related Pay (PRP)!
General Meeting/ Ctte Mtg

Tues 14th May 5:30 pm
Hanwell Community Centre
Westcott Crescent W7 1PD
Free Parking & Bicycle Locks
Hot Meal Provided

PRP will no longer be a legal requirement from Sept 2024. We need to make that happen in our schools. There is significant evidence that shows sexist and racist discrimination exists for members on M6 and able to move to UPS.

Agenda:
1. DfE Says PRP No Longer A Requirement At Main Scale Or UPS – How do we ensure that it stops from Sept?
2. Borough Wide Campaign. Download Ealing Petition May 2024
• More Time For Reps & Officers,
• Paid Religious Leave For Support Staff.
• Better Relations With Ealing Council
Point 2 agreed at Ealing reps training, but please see amended version below.
3. Stop The War Coalition:- TU Conference Motion June 8th. Download STWC TU conference motion
4. Care for Calais
5. Reports:
• Catholic VA Schools Strike Ballot Against Academisation
* St Benedicts TPS Strike Ballot
* St Augustines TU recognition negotiations
• Fielding Primary 5 Support Staff Redundancies
• Workload Charter
• Finances & New Treasurers Michael & Robert – Farewell And Massive Thanks To Dee
6. Minutes and matters arising from previous Ctte/GM. Download GM Minutes Tues 6th Feb 2024
7. AOB

AGM Fri 7pm 1st March Best Ever !

Spaces filling up fast.
Book now or miss out.
Email stefan.simms@neu.org.uk to confirm you are 100% definitely coming. Please state name and school

Check it Out:

* World Famous Ghada Karmi Palestinian academic, physician and author
* Daniel Kebede Our NEU General Secretary
* A stall by Bookmarks The Socialist Bookshop (Book Signing by Ghada)
* Boof Restaurant highly rated Persian restaurant opposite Ealing Town Hall
* We pay for your brilliant dinner

Boof Restaurant.
Opposite Ealing Town Hall.
57 New Broadway, W5 5AH

Find out more about:

Ghada Karmi


Daniel Kebede NEU General Secretary


Boof Restaurant

Opposite Ealing Town Hall

***** Hygiene **** Trip Advisor Halal & Vegan Food

Starters: Mirza, Ghasemi, olvieh, Homos, Mastokhiar and bread

Main Course: skewer kabab kobideh and one skewer chicken (5 pieces) including rice and salad.

Reviews:

***** Reviewed November 29, 2023 Perfect Persian pleasure.

Excellent all round. Perfect unobtrusive service. Lovely chicken kebab and lamb shanks. You probably won’t need a starter unless you are Adam Moran. Really nice ice cream to follow and a bottle of Merlot for £22. We will be going again next time we are in town.

***** Reviewed September 27, 2023 Amazing experience

We spotted this restaurant as we were staying nearby. Very warm welcome and we were offered a lovely table by the window. The waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and guided us through starters and mains. The food was delicious and very good portions. Lovely bottle of wine to wash it all down with. A superb experience and we would definitely return.

Email: stefan.simms@neu.org.uk to confirm you are 100% definitely coming. Please state name and school

Palestinian Solidarity Resources For Wed 7th Feb

On Wed 7th Feb the NEU is calling on its members to do a lunchtime or after school solidarity meeting in support off the call for a Ceasefire Now. Please See NEU Website  https://neu.org.uk/young-people-gaza

“On 7 February Stop the War Coalition an CND are calling on all those in work, college or university to Stand with Gaza by organising a walkout, a lunchtime or early morning protest (or other collective action) to demand our government call for a permanent ceasefire.
So far the day of action is backed by the NEU, UCU, PCS unions.”

CND & Stop the War Coalition

What You Can Do:
  1. Watch this 5 min message message from The Palestinian Teachers Trade Union

2.  Donate To Medical Aid For Palestine Use The QR Code Below

3. Take a photograph of staff holding these NEU posters below and share on social media using #StandWithGaza and also send to stefan.simms@neu.org.uk

NEU3276 ceasefire now -online poster A4 and A3

5 children are being killed in Gaza every hour. That’s 8 classrooms every two days.

10 children in Gaza are being amputated without any anaesthetic every day.

4. Wear a Palestinian badge or lanyard. Collect from Ealing NEU on Tues 6th 5:30 pm Hanwell Community Centre, Westcott Crescent, W7 1PD

Hot meal provided (Curry), Free Parking & Bicycle Locking Posts