An attempt by education unions involved in the industrial action
dispute over pay and funding to break the current deadlock and
move forward with talks with the government has been ignored.
Talks between the unions and government have stalled due to the
government’s insistence that strike action by NEU must be
cancelled before they will continue negotiations.
On Monday 6th March, NEU, NAHT, NASUWT and ASCL wrote
to the Secretary of State to suggest that a day of conciliation
talks could be convened by the Advisory, Conciliation and
Arbitration Service (ACAS).
However, as the unions have yet to receive a formal reply to the
letter, they can only conclude that the failure to reply to such
a reasonable and urgent request means it has been declined.
The unions continue to appeal to the government to begin
meaningful talks in order to move forward in resolving the
dispute.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT,
said: “Using ACAS to create a safe environment between parties in
order to begin movement is a well-trodden path in industrial
relations. The success rate at ACAS is impressive. It is
extraordinary for any party to a dispute to refuse such an offer.
I am really worried that the government are not serious about
finding ways through these difficulties. I hope for the sake of
children the government can see beyond political posturing and
join us all around a table.”
Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretaries of
NEU, said: “This was a serious offer from the NEU and the other
unions to engage in talks and look for a settlement of the
dispute. We want to resolve this dispute in the interests of our
members and the pupils they teach. The Secretary of State
has a duty to engage in negotiation. She must begin to exercise
that duty.”
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and
College Leaders, said: “Unfortunately, the government appears to
be more interested in playing political games than bringing
forward a meaningful offer to improve pay and conditions and end
the industrial dispute. The fact that the government has ignored
our proposal to bring in ACAS reinforces that impression.”
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “According to
the Secretary of State, the Government’s commitment to engage in
proper negotiations has been agreed at the highest levels by the
Prime Minister and the Chancellor. So, we have to question why,
after a number of weeks, progress has still not been made in
convening the negotiations we have been promised. The patience of
our members is running out. We have said that we are ready and
willing to talk any time, any place, anywhere. Ministers now need
to demonstrate that they are also ready to engage to resolve this
dispute.”
