Nasuwt Berkshire

NASUWT General meeting -

NASUWT General meeting

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/improving-teacher-training-central-to-covid-recovery-plan-says-williamson/

Williamson: Improving teacher training 'central' to recovery Ed sec says country needs to 'to go further, faster, to improve the professional training we offer teachers'

Please see all our advice re mass testing and school re opening here

https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/advice/health-safety/coronavirus-guidance/full-reopening-of-schools/full-reopening-of-schools-england/mass-testing-in-schools-and-colleges.html?fbclid=IwAR1_B7uwhILap7BmJHhXA4nCGY1aHJFaOJ0mjUg2WalaYw4yqqVtPag6XEI

Mass Testing in Schools and Colleges NASUWT advice on arrangements for mass testing in schools and colleges in England.

https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/news/campaigns/vaccinate-2-educate.html?fbclid=IwAR0_a4DXn7YT47OtSb4mn_aYHY5AaA9EdHZ1u-dtB1tYqIQIgHAzzx-8Iec

Vaccinate 2 Educate Vaccinate 2 Educate - the NASUWT is calling for all teachers and education staff to be prioritised for the coronavirus vaccine to save lives and help get children back to school.

https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/event/SUP01HOE21.html?fbclid=IwAR31_fWtuN4f4eVRRWZF3XalnX9M3ZMdVMiurqodIUPAE5LRXq2rZLQ3Kyc

Supply Teachers' Consultation Conference Please use your email address and password to log in. If this is the first time you've logged in, you can click on Forgotten? in the password field to request a password verification link.

West Berkshire NASUWT AGM See details below-

NASUWT AGM

NASUWT AGM for Bracknell Forest, see details below -

NASUWT AGM

WOKINGHAM, BRACKNELL, WEST BERKSHIRE NASUWT AGM -

NASUWT AGM

NASUWT cannot advise members nationally to use Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act. As with any employment legislation, it is not straightforward. Through looking at posts here it seems that members understand that you can refuse to attend your workplace if you feel that there is a "serious and imminent" danger to your health and safety. The understanding is that your employer cannot then dismiss you.

If we were to take each part of the legislation and apply it to current circumstances, this would be a very long post. So, rather than explain S44 itself and the various caveats to the refusal to work, and whether it is a reasonable refusal, we will outline what happens if an employee uses it.

The law does indeed state that if an employer dismisses you for exercising your rights under S44, it would be an unfair dismissal. This does not mean that your employer cannot dismiss you for invoking this right. They can and many will. Employment law is not like criminal law - nobody is going to 'arrest' your employer and stop them from sacking you (of course, trade unions have a very good record of preventing this, and do try). Breaches of employment law can only be challenged through the court system, after the event. The onus is on the employee to bring a case against their employer. You may win your case in a tribunal, if you can prove that you ticked all the boxes of the legislation. But we must be mindful of the very rocky road, surrounded by deep ditches on either side, to get justice for such a dismissal.

Getting to the actual tribunal can take at least two years, at the moment. During that time, you will have no income and, probably, no adequate reference from your previous employer to gain another teaching post. Legal representation will also be a further cost. Yes, trade unions provide legal representation in some cases but this is never guaranteed as they have to judge each case on its chances of success. Remember, it is members' money that is used to provide such representation.

Maybe, you will get to the tribunal stage. Maybe, the tribunal will decide that you have little or no chance of success and strike your claim out without even giving you your day in court. If you do get to the tribunal, the chances of them ruling in your favour are 50/50.

Yes, there may be a chance that you win your case but there is also a chance you won’t! If your employer can prove to a tribunal that they took all reasonable steps to make the workplace safe and you still didn’t attend, they will win!

It's worth remembering that the right under S44 applies to individuals, not collectives.

We are not saying that the right under S44 cannot be used at all but, given the many pitfalls and risks, it is not a national strategy that we can advocate using. As offered,If you feel that your school is a case where this legislation would apply, contact your Local Secretary, who will advise and support as necessary.

A new deal for working people - TUC march and rally