Each individual LEA will now have to issue advice to its schools on how to implement the terms of the agreement. (See below) Schools will need to be able to arrange for teachers to take managed time off in lieu, which could involve closing all or part of schools or bringing in cover for special events (as the teachers being replaced would not be expected to set cover)

Cover to Contract Actions ("No-cover" Action)

FINAL UPDATE: JULY 2001

The no-cover action came to an end with agreement between NEOST (National Employers of School Teachers) LGA (Local Government Association) and the teaching unions. Copies of the NEOST/teacher union guidance and of the teacher union commentary have been sent to school reps or may be downloaded here.

last updated 5th April 2001

Unfortunately the expected meetings with employers have not taken place. The intention was to suspend the action so negotiations could take place, but this has simply not happened. The action will therefore continue and schools which are being ballotted  will carry on.
More information is on Briefing Number 6

On Wednesday 21st March 2001, Nigel de Gruchy released the following press release:
NASUWT AGREES TO SUSPEND COVER TO CONTRACT ACTION NEGOTIATIONS TO OPEN IMMEDIATELY

Following developments that took place yesterday in which the Local Education Authority employers offered to open talks on the contract and to consider paying teachers to cover for absent colleagues, and in which the Government changed its mind and indicated agreement to establish an independent study into teachers' workload, the National Action Committee of NASUWT (meeting today 21st March 2001 at its Headquarters near Birmingham) agreed to suspend its cover to contract action "in the immediate future in order to facilitate the process of negotiation".

Commenting on the decision, Nigel de Gruchy, General Secretary of NASUWT, (the teachers' union with 186,531 in-service members) said:

"The cover to contract action, barely implemented, has already been a great success. It has led to practical improvements on the ground and many additional supply teachers have been found 'miraculously' in some cases. The Government has been prompted to introduce many measures to improve recruitment. It has at last acknowledged, through its actions, that there is a real crisis. The employers have also become far more positive. It is much better for the Government and employers to offer talks than to threaten teachers with excessive pay deductions and being sued for damages.

"I hope the Government and employers will find the decision of the NASUWT Action Committee to be extremely positive. The sooner we talk the better.

"NASUWT will be insisting that the improvements secured on the ground are continued. I emphasis the action is being suspended. If talks do not lead to acceptable solutions the action will, of course, be restored.

"The proposal to pay teachers for covering, while extremely positive in itself, does not solve the workload problem. However, improving the contract could obviously assist in this area.

"Notification to ballot, balloting itself and other matters are in various stages of progress in different parts of the Country. Detailed administrative arrangements need to be examined and we are committed to acting in concert with the NUT. We also need to inform our members directly. So far they have only learned of these developments through the media. Hence, it will take several days to put these arrangements into place before a precise date could be set to suspend the action.

"I strongly recommend members in areas where balloting is still underway that they should complete their ballot forms, vote yes, and return their ballot papers so that if the talks do not succeed they would be in a position to commence action at the appropriate time. Balloting is still in progress in Birmingham. No new ballot papers will be issued pending the outcome of the talks."
…ENDS…

In LEA schools the action will begin on Tuesday 13th March 2001. Voluntary Aided schools were balloted separately and may have later starting dates. The NUT action should start on the same day and their members will have received advice similar to that which NASUWT have received.

The purpose of the action is to place a limit on the amount of "cover" that teachers are expected to do in schools in schools which cannot recruit new staff - whether permanent or temporary. The teaching contract only requires teachers to cover the first three days of an absence (and then only if it was not known of in advance), but there is an escape clause for exceptional circumstances. This exceptional case scenario has become commonplace, placing extra demands on staff and eroding the organisation of the school day. It is affecting the health of teachers, the pastoral care of pupils and the education of all classes. Schools and LEAs are being pressurised to continue in an impossible situation, papering over the cracks so that the Education Minister David Blunkett can say that there is no crisis.

The action covers all teachers on "permanent" or fixed term contracts or covering long term absences, but not those employed on a day-day basis for short term supply.

David Blunkett may blame us, saying that by drawing attention to the plight of in-service teachers we will not increase recruitment. We say to him that unless our health is protected there will be very few in-service teachers left.

It was necessary to ballot again (following legal advice) as this was not covered by the continuing "Time for a Limit" campaign which instructed teachers to limit their work to teaching and as much as the government itself said we should be doing.

Results of the Greater London "Cover to Contract" Ballots

There were ballots in local authority schools and also in 600 Voluntary Aided and Foundation Schools.

The results were as follows:

  Ballot Papers issued Ballot Papers returned Percentage Returned Votes "yes" Votes "no" Percentage in favour
Local Authority Schools 6330 1939 30% 1805 134 93%
VA & Foundation Schools 3919 1286 33% 1175 111 88%

In most areas this will be a joint action with the NUT, so members should refer to the advice sent to them before taking action

To view the national advice from Rednal visit this site.

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