Upcoming events

Why ballot?

The government has proposed:

1. an unfunded 6.5 per cent pay rise spread over the next three years, unlikely to match inflation.
2. to get rid of the 1,265 working hours directed time limit, the only contractual protection on workload.

The historic decline in real-terms pay and loosening  rules around workload will do nothing to address the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.

To make sure you can take part, check your myNEU details are correct.

Teacher members will be asked: 

1. Do you reject the proposal of an unfunded 6.5 per cent increase over three years for teacher pay? 

2. Are you prepared to take industrial action to win sufficient funding to secure an above inflation pay increase, reduce workload and defend existing directed time provisions, including the 1,265 hours limit? 

The executive recommends a YES vote to both questions. 

A high turnout and an overwhelming YES vote will press the government to take meaningful action to Save Education. 

Speak to your NEU rep about how you can help them prepare for the indicative ballot and become a Save Education volunteer. 

Find out more here: https://neu.org.uk/campaigns/save-education

February Conferences

London Weekend in Eastbourne

London Weekend is going ahead this year. It’s a residential weekend held at the View Hotel, Eastbourne, and open to any London members to apply via the District and targeted towards members who want to get more active within the union.

The full agenda will be confirmed soon but will feature workshops across three key strands: International, Equalities, and Industrial.

Food, accommodation and travel for the event will be covered by the district. Each district has 5 places initially and the deadline is the 19th January, but if more people are interested we may be able to send more if there are remaining spaces after the deadline. Please pass on to any of your NEU colleagues you think would enjoy it.

Express your interest before 16th January to rosie.bond@neu.org.uk

Special conference for Support Staff

Join hundreds of other support staff members for this special conference. The special conference is to discuss only one issue; the NEU’s approach to support staff representation and outlining a strategic direction, including the possibility of active recruitment. 

As a support staff member, your voice and input is the most important in deciding how our union moves forward in supporting, representing and recruiting support staff members and we’d like to invite you to attend. 

Date and venue:

• Conference will be held at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge
• The date is Saturday 28 February
• The venue will be accessible from 9.30am
• The speakers’ card table will be open from 10.30am
• Conference is due to start at 11am
• Conference will finish by 4pm

Catering

Tea and coffee will be available when delegates arrive and during conference. A hot fork buffet will be provided for all delegates without charge:

• We will cater for vegans, vegetarians and those on lactose and/or gluten-free diets
• No pork or beef will be served
• The only meat will be chicken, and that will be halal

Because of the numbers we’re catering for, anyone unable to eat what is provided will need to purchase something from outside the venue (we’ll be very close to Waterloo station which has many options) and claim from the District.

Crèche

There will be a crèche provided in the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel which is about 15 minutes’ walk (or a bus ride) away from the conference venue. The crèche can only cater for children under 16. Spaces are limited so, if we are oversubscribed, priority will be given to children aged under 8.

Delegates should apply as soon as possible, please let us know if you want to use the crèche and we will send you the forms.

Need more info?

Practical information here: https://nationaleducationunion.foleon.com/neu/special-conference-28-feb-2026/

NEU statement on the purpose of the special conference here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/news/support-staff-special-conference