Socialist Party members in the NEU

A mountain of crucial issues face the delegates gathering for the national conference of the National Education Union, the first under Starmer’s Labour government.

“The worst cuts in a generation” from Starmer and Reeves; another below-inflation, unfunded pay rise; an education bill going through parliament which doesn’t address the crucial issues of the cuts, recruitment and retention crises in schools, all of which are exacerbated by privatisation and academies.

A sign of the crisis in education is the whole number of local strikes taking place. The union has run a national indicative ballot of teachers on pay – which Socialist Party members have strenuously argued should be about funding as well.

Yet at the same time as all this, the leadership of the union has signed up to a ‘partnership’ agreement between the government, employers and unions, in the name of ‘Improving Education Together’. And it has signed away its ability to organise and fight for recognition for its support staff members.  Both of these mistakes must and will be challenged from the conference floor.

As economic crisis looms and Starmer’s betrayals feed the rise of right populists like Farage and the far-right, delegates will also be debating the crucial issue of the role of trade unions in combating the right and fighting for a political voice that represents the interests of workers.

In the face of this storm of events, Socialist Party members who are delegates and National Executive members are putting forward clear demands and a fighting approach.

Funding, pay and workload

Local disputes are winning gains but to defeat Starmer’s austerity will need a national fight. As we go to press, the result of the indicative ballot is not yet known. But most of the ballot took place before the latest cuts announcements – what members thought a few weeks ago won’t be what they think now! 

It is vital now that we build for a national statutory ballot – on funding, pay and workload, as Socialist Party members on the Exec have consistently argued for.

NEU needs a fighting leadership

Two Socialist Party members are standing for election to the National Executive, Sean McCauley in District 8 and Dan Warrington in District 11, to join Sheila Caffrey and Louise Cuffaro, already re-elected unopposed. Winning more socialists on the Exec will strengthen the fight for a leadership that stands up to Starmer’s Labour government.

In the summer term, nominations will open for a new Deputy General Secretary (DGS). Sheila Caffrey won 5,500 votes when she stood for vice president last year – first runner-up. Socialist Party members in the NEU want to discuss with anyone who is serious about giving a fighting lead to members, to ensure there is one socialist candidate in the election for NEU DGS this summer.

No to partnership

Socialist Party members on the Exec voted against the ‘Improving Education Together’ agreement in the November Exec meeting. This is not about negotiations with employers. This is an aim to muzzle union democracy and campaigns. We do not have ‘consensus’ with CEOs of academy chains or a government that is overseeing massive cuts. Instead of partnership, we must recognise the reality of this austerity Starmer government and get ready to fight for what our members need.

Fight the right with class politics

NEU members are rightly concerned about the rise in support for Farage’s Reform UK, and the recent far-right riots and Tommy Robinson demos. In the Socialist Party we argue for trade unions to take the lead in mobilising against the right – including providing trade union-led stewarding to ensure safety of protesters.

The rise of Reform stems from the despair felt by many because of the betrayals by Starmer’s Labour. The NEU should implement the position agreed at the 2018 TUC – Jobs and Homes, not Racism.

Our union donates large amounts to anti-racism campaigns and we believe it is essential our elected bodies have democratic oversight.

An essential part of fighting the far right is also to build a political alternative. The NEU should contact pro-worker MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, the independents and suspended Labour MPs, to form a parliamentary group that champions the policies of our union and supports our members. And we should work with other unions to hold a trade union conference to debate political representation. We need a new workers’ party!

NEU must fight for its support staff members

At its March meeting, the Exec voted to accept an agreement about support staff, signed with other unions that also have support staff members, that the NEU “should take no action that could be regarded as organising activity on behalf of support staff” without the explicit agreement of the other unions.

Socialist Party members Sheila Caffrey and Louise Cuffaro were part of a substantial minority on the Exec that voted against. We support the support staff urgent motion to honour the 2023 conference resolution to campaign for recognition for support staff. All support staff need to be in a fighting union, and we want maximum unity between unions, not division.

Amend the Bill – bring academies back into local authority control

We want all schools to return to local authority control, and for the government to properly fund local councils to allow them to provide the kind of education services that our students deserve. We want the wider school community, including all unions, to be included in the discussions about the future direction of these schools.

We urge all NEU districts to call on their MPs, especially the pro-worker MPs including the independents, to move an amendment to Labour’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to allow a route for academy schools to be returned to local authority control – or new legislation if necessary. The NEU nationally should do the same. 

• Socialist Party member James Ellis, NEU lead rep, is the main speaker at the Anti-Privatisation fringe meeting called by Newham and Lewisham NEU districts: 6.15-7.30pm Wed 16 April, at Double Tree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel, Ripon Road HG1 2HU

Socialist Party NEU conference fringe meeting

National action to fight for funding, pay and workload! Oppose Starmer’s austerity

Hear from:
Sheila Caffrey, Exec member;
Rob Williams, Socialist Party trade union organiser

12.45pm Wednesday 16 April
The Cairn, Ripon Road HG1 2JD