Election Statement

The Government has created a crisis in education: enough is enough 

We must continue to fight, force politicians to listen, and win the changes needed to save our schools & colleges.

Unity is strength

50,000 new members since the start of our action on pay and funding means our arguments are cutting through. Building greater industrial strength by working towards professional unity with other education unions is vital. 

Organising around health & safety at the height of the pandemic, I led national campaigning around Covid safety. 400,000 joined our emergency meeting then our ground-breaking Section 44 action forced government to Uturn saving countless lives. Campaigning to make schools & colleges safe must be a union priority. 

We must: 

• Take action on workload – every educator deserves a work life balance. Work-related-stress is causing an epidemic of mental ill health issues among members with record numbers leaving the profession. 

• Take action on pay and funding – continue the fight to boost pay for all, including supply members; increase funding & protect pensions. 

• Take action to make schools safe – our schools and colleges are crumbling. Educators & children have a right to be safe, breath clean air & be free from deadly asbestos. 

The NEU must continue to lead and be a game changer for education. To achieve this, we need a truly lay-led, strong, united union with its roots in the classroom. Our members should be at the heart of everything we do; we must put more resources into supporting them, our workplace reps, and our lay officers. 

Members deserve a fully committed National Executive Member with the knowledge, credibility and influence to make a difference. It’s vital members are represented by experienced, and respected negotiators and campaigners as we move into the future. 

VOTE FOR IAN WATKINSON

in District 4