Understanding the SSSNB Briefing and Campaign for School Support Staff Rights
Learn about the origins of the SSSNB, what it covers, its structure, and UNISON's efforts to strengthen support staff representation in schools. Explore issues highlighted by survey respondents and the ongoing organizing activities related to the SSSNB.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Organising around the SSSNB Briefing for Branches
Origins of SSSNB Original SSSNB abolished by Michael Gove in 2010 UNISON campaigning secures Labour Party manifesto commitment in 2024 Employment Rights Bill Passage through parliament and royal assent
What will the SSSNB cover? All state schools including academies Pay - with agreements implemented nationally rather than locally Terms and conditions, such as working hours, sickness absence, maternity and paternity leave Job descriptions, looking at roles and responsibilities Training and career progression
Structure of SSSNB Trade unions - UNISON will be the largest of only three unions to sit on the SSSNB (alongside GMB and Unite). Employer reps: Local Government Association, Confederation of School Trusts, Church of England Education Service, Catholic Education Society Department for Education officials UNISON's National School Committee will oversee the work from UNISON's perspective, with lay members appointed to the Board
Is UNISON as strong as it could be in schools? Nearly 250,000 schools support staff members BUT... In 2024 UNISON saw a net decline of 3800 school members, or -1.5%. This was in the context of unionwide membership growth of 3% SSSNB is a national UNISON priority and represents a key opportunity to increase participation, engagement and build a more organising focused approach in schools
SSSNB organising activity to date In September 2024, a national survey was launched to respond to SSSNB announcement 7403 responses to date 47% of respondents requested a school visit 1565 responses showing interest in School Support Staff Champion role (over 20%) Of these, 464 have been converted into new champions (Code 109 on RMS)
Issue ranking from survey respondents Issue Rank Ranking score Pay 1 42,780 Policy on workload cover 2 28,863 Term time contracts 3 26,962 Health and safety issues such as violence, administering medication 4 23,686 Access to training and development 5 23,184 Maternity and paternity pay 6 9,923
School Support Staff Champions Role definition A School Support Staff Champion is a member who does not have the capacity or inclination for a formal role within the branch but is willing to be active beyond their individual participation within their workplace or as part of regional and national campaigns Future aim for champions to be sub-category of new Active Member role (currently being piloted in social care) Focus on base organising, recruitment, and moving colleagues in the pursuit of UNISON goals
How do members sign up as champions? Landing page on website Survey School visits They can sign up directly online Detail about their priorities + opportunity to sign up as champion Preferred route Sign up via the landing page
Champion pledge wording I want to become a School Support Staff Champion in my workplace, to build a strong UNISON and ensure that support staff win the best possible new deal through the new School Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB). I will: Aim to complete one termly task relating to the SSSNB (e.g. attend a webinar/complete a survey/share information with a colleague) Help build a stronger UNISON by encouraging colleagues to participate in activity for a new deal Get involved in regional networks of School Support Staff champions
New champions sign-up page www.unison.org.uk/SSSNBChampions
Why become a champion? One champion in every school would mean 25,000 school support staff champions across England representing the voice of over 250,000 members! With that kind of strength you ll ensure: Support staff in every school are kept informed of SSSNB progress Your UNISON bargaining team represents your views and priorities accurately 100,000s of support staff can coordinate on activities to secure the best possible new deal from govt and employers Members in every school can vote on any future deals and determine next steps collectively
Champions cyclical termly actions Regional champions network meetings National SSSNB update webinar Regional check-ins with assigned organiser Champions training
Champions pathway Influence the SSSNB and ensure the best outcome for support staff Training Sign up as a champion opportunities and access to support Join together with other champions in regional network meetings Phone call with organiser for welcome information Termly task to support SSSNB progress Introduced to branch
Champion networks National Facebook group for champions updates, questions and advice UNISON organiser and branch to support you along the way Termly meeting of regional champions network Access to national webinars and bespoke trainings
SSSNB Base Organising Plan Spring & Summer 2025 Spring Term Summer Term Briefings for leads, organisers and branches National webinar for all school support staff & national bulletin Refreshed resources & systems Regional champions network meeting Champions completing email MP task National webinar & bulletin Regional champions network meeting Champions completing job duties survey Training for champions
Actions for Branches School visits Promote SSSNB survey Promote champion role and encourage sign-ups Promote national webinars and regional champions network meetings Welcome and integrate champions into branch Work with your regional lead to support and develop new champions
Champions task this term Email MP and encourage colleagues This task will straddle into next term
Resources Shared on Organising Space within schools under SSSNB section SSSNB main webpage: https://www.unison.org.uk/about- 2/schools/sssnb/ Survey: https://s.alchemer.eu/s3/SSSNB Champion sign up page: https://www.unison.org.uk/SSSNBChampions Champion task - Email MP action: https://action.unison.org.uk/page/166229/action/1
Upcoming dates Audience Date Time Promotion Members Webinar 27thMarch 2025 16:00 17:00 Email, LG Circulars, Schools visits etc. Email, LG Circulars, School visits etc Members' Webinar 2 7th May 2025 16:30-17:30
