Morgan to begin new pay and workload talks, Tes reports

According to Tes, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is seeking a new wave of talks with teaching unions which will centre on pay, workload and other areas of concern.

Morgan is set to meet with teachers’ unions on Wed 25 May to discuss their concerns and establish a new positive relationship following the recent months of discord.

Morgan has written a letter to members of the Teacher and Head teacher Union Rountable saying that the Department for Education (DfE) wants to: continue to listen carefully to the arguments that unions are making; move forward in a constructive way and continue discussions on the issues the unions have raised with her; and have a conversation about a new series of talks to allow greater depth on certain topics (i.e. pay, conditions, workload and qualifications).

The news comes after a period of particularly strained relations between the two groups, regarding forced adademisation, primary assessment, teacher shortages and squeezed school budgets.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has welcomed the letter as a ‘step forward’.

In an interview with Tes, Leora Cruddas, ASCL’s policy director, said: “We welcome the letter from the secretary of state and the opportunity for deep and meaningful discussions over pay and conditions, workload and teacher qualifications.
“ASCL feel very positive that she appears to be in listening mode. This is Nicky Morgan saying ‘I have heard your concerns that you want better engagement at ministerial level’.”

She added: “It is vital that the government listens to the profession over both the formulation and implementation of policies in these critical areas.”

A DfE spokesman said: “As part of her ongoing discussions with unions, the secretary of state has invited teacher and headteacher unions to a new programme of talks to discuss the issues raised by their members and how we can work together to address them.

“We have always made clear that we want to work constructively with the sector to ensure every child has access to the excellent education they deserve.”