National Executive Meeting Report
Strategic Committees met in the morning prior to the full NEC in the afternoon. I sit on the Policy, Research and Campaigns Committee
Committee – Policy, Research and Campaigns
Discussions on:
- Ballot
- Executive motion to National Conference
- Independent Commission on Assessment in Primary Education
- Motions to TUC Women’s Conference
- Motion to TUC Black Workers’ Conference (decision delayed so Black members’ seat holder could consult with Black Members’ Organising Forum
- Paper on adultification of black girls
(Decisions taken reported in urgency below)
Joint General Secretaries Report
Current ballot turnout is around 35% – clearly some work to be done.
Last date for requesting replacement ballots is 16th December (less than 3 weeks away).
Postcards going out to members who voted in indicative but haven’t confirmed their postal vote.
There will be a change in the messaging – more about why you need to vote, not just vote.
12,000 replacement ballots sent out, 60 staff working on it, requests go to Civica twice a week.
Ballot won’t be won centrally – branch secretaries have a key task to persuade reps in targeted schools to talk to members.
NEC Meeting
Financial Report
Membership income is slightly above projected. Budget currently in surplus but it is very early in the financial year.
Membership Report
Number of student member is released next week. Overall membership is up, but that is not unusual in a time of ballot and activity.
Urgency Reports:
Policy, Research and Campaigns
- Need to get political message out to members to encourage them to vote
- Executive motion to National Conference on Oak Academy agreed
- Motions on supporting global women’s’ struggles and sexism/sexual harassment agree to go to TUC women’s’ conference
Bargaining and Negotiation
- Update on bargaining database (MATs)
General Purposes Committee
- Donations agreed to:
- RMT strike fund – £5,000
- Northern Rocks annual donation – £1,000
Member Defence
- Minor changes to disciplinary procedures
Union Strength
- Protocols around Organising Forums and role of vice chair agreed
- Procedure for nomination members for TUC awards agreed.
- Executive motion to National Conference on VE:VE agreed
Action Committee
- Since last executive, 9 indicative ballots and 8 formal ballots have been agreed
International Committee
- Delegation to Palestine in February 2023 agreed
- Donations agree to:
- Fund Turkish delegates’ flights to attend SPOT conference – £1,500
- Fund refreshments for SPOT conference – £500
- Project in Nablus, Inter-Community Co-working Space – £5,000
- Mesarvot, network supporting refuseniks who refuse to serve in the Israeli army because of their opposition to the illegal occupation of Palestine- £2,500
- Culture Centre in refugee camp in Bethlehem – £5,000
To contact me:
email: deborah.gwynn@neu.org.uk
Tel: 07740927603
Please let me know when your meetings are so I can try to attend. It is a key part of the Executive role to be in touch with local districts and branches in order to be accountable for decisions made at the NEC and to listen to members views.