Nutshells #77mar 08

THE 77TH EDITION FOR ALL PLYMOUTH TEACHERS MARCH 2008 PUBLIC SECTOR PAY If you believe your salary and that of your co-workers is too high and needs to be cut—do nothing • •

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Inflation now 4.2% The lecturers union UCU is balloting for strike action on the same day as the NUT—24th April Budget—petrol prices up again in October Crude Oil over $100 a barrel Petrol heading for £5 a gallon Wheat prices double in 12 months PO workers achieve a 6.7% pay rise after taking strike action Inflation expected to rise even if the Bank Rate falls Prescriptions up 3.6%

Your pay “rise” this month is - 1.6% Every day you lose at least £2—how long can you afford to do it? If you’re paid on the UPS or in the leadership group it’s much much more...

Does my pay cause inflation ? "Inflation is caused by price rises in commodities and products—teachers do not affect the prices of anything—they teach. Their pay doesn't make petrol more expensive, houses cost more or food prices to rise. Public sector pay usually shadows inflation; it doesn't cause it.” Who says this? The Governor of the Bank of England! This quote was made at the start of our campaign, some time last summer...he hasn't made it since! See page 2

HAVE YOU VOTED? VOTE NOW & VOTE YES!

THE NUT: “We work up to a standard not down to a price” Independent of Government and not affiliated to any political party

The TUC has told the Government that its centralised pay target of 2% for the next three years will do Brendan Barber nothing to fight inflation and risks fatally damaging the industrial relations machinery that has helped to minimise disputes across much of the public sector. The report, SIX MILLION PAY CUTS, also says that the Government's pay target will widen the pay gap between men and women, hit staff retention, recruitment and morale and threatens a return to the bad old days of public sector pay boom and bust. The Government claims that the pay freeze is necessary to fight inflation, but the report cites research carried out for the unions by Income Data Services which shows that public sector pay follows inflation rather than causes it. Moreover, the most recent round of below inflation public sector pay increases has had little or no effect on private sector pay that’s matching the RPI at around 4%. Inflationary pressure in the economy is not coming from pay - least of all public sector pay - which is already rising more slowly than pay in the rest of the economy. The Office of National Statistics says that inflation has been caused mainly by increased housing costs, higher petrol and oil prices, and more expensive household goods - not pay. Holding back public sector pay will make the pay gap between men and women greater as the public sector employs proportionately more women than the private sector. It will also affect final salary pensions. TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said: “The Government is on a collision course with six million public servants. Forcing effective cuts in their pay for this year and the next three will hit morale and have an inevitable impact on the quality of public services. The Government's arguments for this draconian policy simply do not stand up. Public sector pay does not cause inflation and holding it back does nothing to fight inflation caused elsewhere. Its only economic impact is on the living standards of public servants. The Government's approach threatens the independent public sector pay review bodies that have removed conflict from important parts of the public sector. It also fatally undermines any ambition the Government has to narrow the pay gap between men and women. The Government's four-year plan of public sector pay means that resentment can only grow and fester among public servants - all of whom have votes.”

IN ANOTHER TEACHER UNION? JOIN THE NUT CALL 0845 300 1666 Ed Balls counting his chickens

Academies can reduce maternity benefits—just thought you’d like to know...

Unions rebut Government case for public sector pay cuts

Your standard of living is falling and will continue to fall unless you do something about it

When the well established Retail Price Index rose above their 2% target, the government invented the Consumer Price Index to make inflation look lower. The CPI excludes housing costs. They are about to exclude energy costs from it too! On top of excessive work load, oversized classes and attacks on teachers’ professionalism… THIS REALLY IS THE LAST STRAW. A decline in teachers’ pay will lead towards another teacher shortage, further undermining our schools and the children we teach. The NUT has done everything we can to make the government change their mind, but they will not listen. OUR BALLOT FOR A ONE DAY STRIKE is part of a growing and united public sector pay campaign. The NUT [& UCU] action is planned for April 24th. This is your chance to stand up for all teachers and children. Ballot papers must be received by Monday 31st March

BALLOT & STRIKE Q&A? See contacts on P4

HILARY BILLS WITH SOME OF THE 62 TEACHERS REPRESENTING PLYMOUTH, SE CORNWALL AND WEST DEVON

HAVE YOU GOT YOURS? FREE 1GB USB MEMORY STICK for every NQT —just email your membership number and school address to get yours! [email protected]

What’s in a name?

When the Excellent Teachers scheme was introduced in 2006 the government expected some 5,000 teachers to apply in the first year. So far...just 37 have done so. The survey commissioned by the government shows that about a quarter of respondents found the term “Excellent Teacher” off-putting. Excellent Teachers (outside London) have been receiving a salary of £36,771 but now the Schools Secretary Ed Balls has agreed to pay “Excellent Teachers” between £37,672 and £48,437 (outside the capital) in the hope that this will tempt more teachers to apply. What do you think?

CHECK YOUR PAY LOSS AT www.teachers.org.uk

A member writes: “I am a p/t teacher with a TLR. I have similar responsibilities and duties as my f/t colleagues but only get a proportion of the TLR—is this fair?” WORKLOAD UP—WORKING HOURS UP—AND NOW THE Answer: NO FINAL STRAW—A PAY CUT FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS This could be unlawful discrimination as it Cut Cut out out and and keep keep appears p/t & f/t colleagues are being treated differently. Ask your HT to write to you explaining why you have to be paid less Plymouth NUT AGM 27th March China House 1715—1830

Strike Ballot Q&A? CONTACT...

Plymouth Division: [email protected] 01503 240527 Regional Office: [email protected],uk 01392 258028