Permanent Revolution

PR webby on Sun 26, October 2008 @ 21:03

PR webby — 2008-10-26 21:03:09

Further comments here

http://www.permanentrevolution.net/entry/2371

Alison H on Wed 29, October 2008 @ 20:40

Alison H — 2008-10-29 20:40:15

Having just been involved in the campaign for a no vote in the ballot for Parkwood School in Sheffield to become an academy (North Sheffield Anti Academies Alliance), I'm appalled that the ELTA is not backing Adrian 100%.

The vote was lost in Sheffield over Parkwood (by 199 votes to 83) and it's clear to me that what was missing from the campaign was real support from organised teachers (whether working at Parkwood or elsewhere in the city). The council bribed their way to winning the academy vote with promises of funding for a new school building if the vote was yes - plus the council and the school had money to spend on glossy brochures (courtesy of Edutrust) and roadshow events that excluded the no campaign. A small number of local teachers supported the campaign and some resources were put in by the NUT but support on the ground was minimal when we all know that academies mean privatisation, loss of accountability and weakening worker's organisation.

In this context, active and militant trade unionists are gold dust. If ELTA can't stand behind Adrian, with his long record of fighting for school staff and students who will they fight for!

Kate Ford on Wed 29, October 2008 @ 22:04

Kate Ford — 2008-10-29 22:04:06

Adrian is a long standing and highly respected activist in the NUT. It is not surprising that he should be targeted by management. What is, to say the least, disappointing is that I understand some in Adrian's local branch, the East London Teachers Association, have chosen not to support his case. How can those who claim to be on the left of the union not defend any member being threatened with disciplinary action over a dress code? Does this mean that these people support dress codes and management's right to impose them?

It is interesting that dress codes have suddenly become a big issue in schools. I know of a number of schools, including my own, where management have introduced a dress code and where NUT members are fighting back. The idea has come partly from academies but was supported by David Cameron who a few months back announced that, if elected, the Tories would introduce dress codes for teachers in all schools. Little did he know that his policy would have the support of the SWP and others.

All trade unionists should support the position taken by rank and file members at St. Pauls Way and defend Adrian against any disciplinary action.

I would be interested in hearing from any other school groups or individuals facing disciplinary action over dress codes in order to link up and organise a broader campaign.

Kate Ford

Hackney NUT

Kirstie on Tue 04, November 2008 @ 22:24

Kirstie — 2008-11-04 22:24:35

The following letter was sent by officers from Greenwich NUT:

Dear Ms Page,

We are writing to you to express concern that you have decided to begin disciplinary proceedings against the NUT rep at your school, Adrian Swain.

We understand that you have decided to impose a staff dress code without any form of consultation taking place and that you have still not made it clear what you mean by ‘appropriate’ dress to the staff at the school. Our understanding from the NUT group at the school is that this dress-code has been enforced in an arbitrary fashion and that some members have been issued with warnings while others have not. We question whether the imposition of a dress code is lawful and therefore to discipline a member of staff on this basis is also potentially unlawful.

Under these circumstances the use of disciplinary proceedings against the NUT rep could be construed as an attempt to victimise Adrian for his role as the NUT rep within the school. We are also concerned that in the absence of a governing body that disciplinary procedures may not be carried out in a fair manner.

It seems unnessarily divisive to pursue such a course of action within the school when by all accounts there are far more challenging and important issues that schools have to face today. Surely you should be working to support excellent teachers like Adrian rather than bringing diversionary disciplinary procedures against them.

On the basis of all this we call upon you to drop the disciplinary proceedings against Adrian Swain.

Yours faithfully.

Tim Woodcock – Divisional Secretary, Greenwich NUT

Kirstie Paton - President, Greenwich NUT

Dan on Thu 13, November 2008 @ 14:57

Dan — 2008-11-13 14:57:10

This letter has been sent by Lambeth UNISON:

Dear Ms Page,

I am writing to you to express concern that you have decided to begin disciplinary proceedings against the NUT rep at your school, Adrian Swain. I am writing on behalf of the Lambeth branch of UNISON, the public service Union.

I understand that you have decided to impose a staff dress code without any form of consultation taking place and that you have still not made it clear what you mean by ‘appropriate’ dress to the staff at the school. Our understanding from the NUT group at the school is that this dress-code has been enforced in an arbitrary fashion and that some members have been issued with warnings while others have not. We question whether the imposition of a dress code is lawful and therefore to discipline a member of staff on this basis is also potentially unlawful.

Under these circumstances the use of disciplinary proceedings against the NUT rep could be construed as an attempt to victimise Adrian for his role as the NUT rep within the school. I am also concerned that in the absence of a governing body that disciplinary procedures may not be carried out in a fair manner.

On the basis of all this I hope that you will drop the disciplinary proceedings against Adrian Swain.

Best wishes,

Jon Rogers

Branch Secretary

Lambeth UNISON