Banging the drum of injustice at reps training course

By Jan Abbott, teaching assistant

I RECENTLY attended the East Midlands NEU workplace reps foundation training course. Around 30 of us turned up at the Nottingham HQ, unsure of what to expect, but positive and excited to be on a three-day course, united by a passion for education and a drive for change.

We were a diverse mix of primary and secondary, male and female, old and young. I ticked the boxes of mature and support staff.

Our tutors welcomed us, put us at ease and gelled us together into a cohesive group.

By the end of the three days, we were inspired and ready to return to our workplaces with a plan of action to update noticeboards and spread the word of the NEU, and to lead by example with kindness and support.

I learnt that a sense of injustice is the most powerful form of motivation. Support staff suffer many injustices, mainly due to the evolution of the role from the ‘Mum’s army of paint pot washers’ to a band of often very well-qualified, experienced staff who are paid a low salary, have no recognition of their years of service, qualifications or experience, and are used by schools to cover classes. The list goes on.

Get involved – bang the drum of injustice.