January 2000 - Newsletter

BUILDING WORKS?

If building work is due to take place in your school, of whateverscale, please let us know if you have any concerns about it.Many schools will be affected by building as a result of reorganisationand we are determined that the health and safety of NUT memberswill not be compromised in any way. Schools are, relative to otherworkplaces, fairly safe, but when contractors move in this positioncan be changed overnight.
During the last few months in Bradford there have been some worryinginstances of unsafe practices. Just a few obvious examples ofthings that can go wrong are listed below:

Failure to physically separate children and staff fromthe building work
Scaffolding which is not properly fenced off (there shouldbe a secure fence at least 1.8 metres high and 2 metres from thebase of the scaffolding) and which affords no protection fromfalling objects
Contractors’ vehicles moving around amongst childrenand staff
Blockage of fire-escapes

These are of course just a few of the many potential hazardswhich can be created. If you have any worries at all, or questionsabout what is happening at your school, please do not hesitateto contact the Union Office.

Restructuring, Redundancy and Reorganisation

You may have been shocked to read in the T&A that BradfordCouncil is allowing the possibility of staff becomingcompulsorilyredundant in the context of Restructuring of the senior managementwithin the Council. To date no redundancy notices have been issued,but the T&A reported that 33 Director and Assistant Directorposts are to be cut and replaced with a smaller number of managementposts. We understand that present post holders are to lose theirjobs but may apply for one of the new jobs, if they wish.
The Council continue to pledge that there will be no compulsoryredundancy for school staff due to Reorganisation. This coversnot only the immediate closure period but also the effects ofbulges of pupils working through continuing schools and otherupsets in admissions as new schools come on stream.
Bradford Council never made any permanent member of staff compulsorilyredundant in modern times. We would expect it to continue thispractice.
As if Reorganisation of Schools wasn’t enough - (or havethey just got a taste for it?) - the proposed restructuring ofsenior management mirrors a radical restructure at all levels.The Directorates will disappear and services such as personnelwould be Council wide. This system was abolished some years agobecause Council wide services were unable to respond adequatelyto the specific needs of schools. The teaching Unions are to makea concerted response to these proposals by the closing date ofthe consultation, Friday 14th January.

Unplaced Teachers

The Authority have agreed that teachers on temporary contractswill be considered for redeployment. Unplaced permanent staffwill have first priority, then staff who have completed 2 yearson a fixed term contract that does not entitle them to permanentstatus, and thirdly staff who have completed one year.
We have asked for a list of temporary contract holders and theterms of each contract to assess who may have grounds for claimingpermanent rights. If this is your second year of a temporary contractwe will look into your status if you wish. Fax us details anda copy of your last letter of appointment.

Training

The schedule of training for this term includes courses that wererequested from an NUT meeting of newly placed year 5 teachers.The Inspectorate has invited further requests for the summer term.They have already noted the lack of music in primary and of trainingaimed at staff moving into secondary schools. If you have anyreorganisation related requests please let us know.

Public Debate

ORGANISED BY LEEDS NUT

IS PERFORMANCE RELATED PAY THE WAY FORWARD?

HILARY BENN, MP PUTS THE GOVERNMENT'S CASE

OPPOSED BY IAN MURCH NUT NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR WEST YORKSHIRE

8-00 pm FRIDAY 21st JANUARY 2000 WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE (REHEARSAL ROOM)