unions

Coronavirus UK: BMA supports teaching unions on June opening

by

The British Medical Association has said teachers’ unions are ‘absolutely right’ to say it is unsafe for schools to open on June 1 – as The Children’s Commissioner led a chorus of influential voices urging unions to co-operate with plans. The UK’s largest doctors’ union warned the number of coronavirus cases was still too high … Read more

BMA says teachers’ unions are ‘absolutely right’ to claim it is unsafe for schools to open on June 1

by

BMA says teachers’ unions are ‘absolutely right’ to claim it is unsafe for schools to open on June 1 while Children’s Commissioner leads calls to get pupils back as soon as possible Anne Longfield called on union leaders to work with ministers to get pupils back Former Labour education secretary has also criticised trade union … Read more

Time to get back to class: Row between teachers and unions explodes…

by

The row between teachers and unions over when and how to reopen our schools exploded last night. In an extraordinary intervention, former education secretary David Blunkett accused the unions of ‘working against the interests of children’ by continuing to frustrate teachers who are desperate to get back into the classroom. And current Education Secretary Gavin … Read more

Lord Blunkett blasts teaching unions for ‘working against the interests of children’

by

Lord Blunkett blasts teaching unions for ‘working against the interests of children’ by blocking June reopening plan in blistering row with teachers’ leader Government aiming for the phased reopening of primary schools from June 1    But National Education Union has told members not to engage with Government Union chiefs cited safety fears and want guarantees … Read more

Unions demand the government ‘steps back’ from opening schools on June 1

by

Unions have demanded the government ‘steps back’ from its plan to reopen schools in England from June 1, saying there is not enough ‘protection’ for staff and pupils. A joint statement issued through the Trades Union Congress complains of a ‘lack of understanding’ of the risks faced by teachers and children, with no provision for social … Read more

Unions threaten to stage mass walkouts over lockdown easing risks

by

Ministers were today facing union warnings over walkouts if health and safety demands are not met when lockdown eases – as Keir Starmer jibed that PPE is not a ‘luxury item’. The government is facing a furious backlash at its draft ‘road map’ for starting to loosen the draconian curbs strangling the economy and plunging … Read more

Unions say it’s ‘premature’ to talk about the return of schools until government can prove it’s safe

by

Union chiefs have today hit out at reports that the government could look to re-open primary schools in England as early as June 1 and warned decision makers they face losing the confidence of head teachers and staff if plans are rushed.  Kevin Courtney, General Secretary of the National Education Union, the largest teachers’ trade … Read more

Unions blast British Airways over its plan to send 12,000 staff ‘to the dole’

by

Unions representing British Airways staff have attacked the airline for its ‘gross insult’ to the 12,000 employees ‘it plans to send to the dole’.   BA announced plans to reduce its headcount by a quarter while its Spanish parent company signed a £900m loan with the Madrid government to save jobs at Iberia and Vueling.  BA … Read more

London at the mercy of militant unions who have Sadiq Khan over a barrel

by

Sadiq Khan is at the mercy of militant unions which are threatening to use the coronavirus crisis to demand a new deal for workers –  amid warnings London’s transport network will be buckle under the pressure once the lockdown eases. RMT General Secretary Mick Cash – who represents Tube workers –  today wrote a column … Read more