PAY CAMPAIGN

VOTE YES IN THE BALLOT ON TEACHER PAY!

 

BELOW INFLATION PAY AWARD

- The Government has announced a below-inflation pay increase for teachers for September 2008 onwards. The main features are as follows:

- From September 2008 - an increase of 2.45% on the Main and Upper pay scales

- From September 2009 and September 2010 - further increases of 2.3% on these pay scales
- Pay for leadership teachers and ASTs, SEN allowances and TLR payments will increase as above - but safeguarded MAs stay frozen

- The above increases compare to the current RPI inflation rate of 4.0%. It has been argued by some, however, that the increase in pay is better than expected and is better than some others have received.

Teachers’ pay was also increased by less than inflation in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Teachers’ pay levels cannot buy the same level of goods and services as they could three years ago.

All teachers’ pay scales have been affected. For example, for teachers outside London, inflation has cut the value of starting pay for NQTs in September 2008 by £1,000 and teachers on UPS3 have seen the value of their pay reduced in real terms by £1,700. In addition, since 2005, 30,000 responsibility payments have disappeared due to the introduction of TLRs. For thousands of teachers house purchase is out of reach.

The NUT stands ready to take action to protect the living standards of teachers and their families.

PAY INCREASE

IF PAY HAD ONLY
MATCHED INFLATION…
NQTs’ starting pay would be £700
a year higher. Experienced
teachers would be earning over
£1000 more and primary heads
over £1500 more. Cumulative pay
losses are far higher – UPS3
teachers have lost over £2000 and
this figure is rising.The latest proposed increase will mean a further cut in living standards.

VOTE YES IN POLITICAL FUND BALLOT

You should receive your ballot paper in the next few days from the NUT asking you to support your Union in its attempt to establish a Political Fund.

Please Vote YES in the ballot and remember to return your voting paper.

If the ballot is successful, it will enable the Union to publicise its opposition to racist and fascist groups such as the BNP who attempt to divide our society and increase tension and hatred between different ethnic groups.

A political fund will NOT enable the Union to support any political party and there are no plans for us to do so. Our political independence is extremely important to the NUT and we are determined to speak up for teachers and education regardless of whichever political party is in government.

Please support your Union and Vote YES for a Political Fund.

Janet Riddington
Division Secretary

Division AGM

The Buckinghamshire Teachers' Association will be holding the AGM on Tuesday 18th March 2008 at Ash Hill School, Herbert Road, High Wycombe, HP137HT at 16.30. All members of the NUT in Bucks are invited to attend.

High Wycombe Association AGM

All members are invited to the AGM of the High Wycombe and District Association on Tuesday 12th February 2008 at 1600 at Ash Hill School, Herbert Road, High Wycombe, HP137HT. A member willing to take on the role of secretary is still needed. If you would be interested in this job please contact the acting secretary.