Barnsley Division nut 2009 Annual Report

This is my 21st annual report which I am pleased to write as Secretary of the Barnsley NUT Division. I am also very pleased to have secured nominations from each of the South Yorkshire NUT Divisions and have therefore been electsed to serve a further 2 year term from April 2010 as National Executive Member representing South Yorkshire. As ever,  during the last 21 years,  I am pleased to confirm that the Barnsley Division of the NUT continues to be the largest and most active  teaching union within Barnsley MBC. The NUT has been involved in all educational matters, continues to represent members individually and collectively and has campaigned in many issues during 2009


Collective Action

A Trade Union is only as strong as the collective strength of its members.
2008 ended with some days of strike action by NUT members at Joseph Locke Primary school (JLPS) and this action continued for the first 3 months of 2009 in the face of very hostile management and a few vocal parents who were deliberately misled about the reason for the strike. In my 2008 report I wrote that the dispute is about " a deceitful school management reneging on a local agreement not to cut the pay of NUT Mambers at JLPS' Here the 'Magnificent 7' NUT members have again been forced to resort to further strike action following a ballot showing 100% support. Strikes took place on December 2nd, 10th and 11th. Further strike action is very likely in 2009 as no talks without pre-conditions have been offered by the Headteacher despite the NUT expressing a willingness to enter into dialogue with the aim of resolving the dispute.