Upcoming events.
Branch AGM
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Meeting ID: 336 346 291 620 2
Passcode: S42md6CD
Branch and District Committee Meeting 2 Minutes
Items on the agenda:
Branch Elections
Allocation of Facilities Time
Proposed timing for 26/27 AGM (proposal to hold AGM and elections sooner in the academic year - November)
Branch update - case trends
Current campaigns - Save Education
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Registration is required: NEU Trafford Branch AGM Registration Form – Fill in form
Free School Meals for All
I remember the joy of school lunchtime. All of us eagerly lined up, hoping for potato smiles. That feeling of being in it together.
That’s how it should be. Children free to be children. Joyful, full of hot food, ready to learn.
That’s what Free School Meals for All is all about. And I’m proud our union is leading the campaign to extend school dinners to every child in primary school.
It's teachers that won this change in London. I know we can win it in Trafford too.
That’s why we need you there on 10 March for our local meeting on Free School Meals for All and how we can make this a reality in Trafford and across England.
Members, parents and community groups are coming together to hear more about the campaign and how we can move the needle. Can you make it?
We all know children can’t concentrate when they’re underfed. But it’s about more than that.
The dinner queue should be a place for chatting and making friends. Not worrying about how much money lunch is going to cost.
When going on trips, Free School Meals kids get a brown bag for lunch. It marks them apart.
That self-consciousness, the stress, it weighs on a young mind.
Projecting that sense of otherness on children doesn’t sit right with me. Let's pull together Trafford and make our plan to change this for our pupils and schools.
Join us at 6pm on Tuesday 10 March, to plan how we can win. Teachers and parents from across Trafford will be there, and I hope I’ll see you there too.
We have school uniforms so kids don’t stick out if their family is on a lower income.
If everyone got Free School Meals, that feeling of being ostracised goes away.
Imagine we could equip every child with the basics to learn, thrive and fulfil their potential.
That’s the future children and young people in our country deserve. And it’s teachers getting organised with our wider communities that will win it.
I look forward to seeing you on 10 March.
OGM 2
Welcome and introductions
Apologies
Minutes from OGM1 and Matters arising
Co-opt and vacancies in year (Standing District Item, but Branch Co-opts welcome)
Branch Update (Casework volume and outcomes) (Branch Item)
Comms Update (Branch & District Item)
Notification of Elections for Branch, and District (Branch and District Items)
Ratification of AC Delegates and Priority Motions (District Item)
Save Education (Branch Item)
AOB
District Special Meeting
NEU Trafford will hold a Special Meeting to consider the emergency motion that has prompted the calling of the Special Conference; members will examine the motion’s content, implications and recommended actions before deciding whether to support it at conference. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to propose, discuss and vote on any district amendments we believe necessary to better reflect local priorities and circumstances. Members are encouraged to come prepared with clear arguments, proposed wording for amendments and an understanding of how changes might affect wider NEU policy and campaigning. The aim is to ensure Trafford’s position is democratically agreed, strategically sound and effectively represented at the Special Conference.
District OGM 1
Change of Dates/Structure for Branch/District Meetings (discussion - 5Min)
Special Conference
Annual Conference
Co-Opt Positions (District)
AOB
Item From AH (2x £500 Donations)
LGBT+ Social Event - NW NEU 11 October 2025
Hot on the heels of an amazing turnout of NEU members at Manchester Pride, we are now excited to extend an invitation to our first LGBT+ social event of the school year on Saturday 11th October! This will be a day that offers something for everyone so please do come and join us, meet your fellow LGBT+ educators from across the North West Region, and find out more about how we can all contribute to making our schools and colleges safer and more inclusive.
District Committee Meeting 1
Items:
1. DBS Nominations
Sara Hope
Sam Makinde
Debra Beale
2. Notification of small purchase – KG Shredder
3. Notice of opening EOIs for AC26
4. Co-opt of positions
o Previous interested roles/parties
§ Equalities
· Angela Henry & Molly Acharya (Jointly)
§ Black members
· Angela Henry & Molly Acharya (Jointly)
§ Caseworker
· Kay Gallimore
o Roles needed
§ Auditor (x2) or decision to appoint external
§ President, VP
§ Assistant Secretary
§ Membership Secretary
§ Support Staff
§ Women
§ LGBT+
§ Supply
§ Retired
5. AOB
o Restricted item
Reps' Training - NEU Trafford
Join us for NEU Trafford's Reps' Training Day at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls – an essential opportunity for all Reps to enhance their skills and stay informed. This event will cover crucial updates, including vital changes to employment laws, effective campaigning strategies, and insights from senior leadership. Additionally, we will discuss equalities updates to ensure you are fully equipped to support all members.
Our training room is easily accessible via lift, making it convenient for everyone to participate. Following the training, unwind and network with fellow Reps at a social gathering at the Griffin, just a 5-minute walk from the venue.
Please note that there is no on-site parking available, so plan your travel accordingly. Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate and elevate your understanding of key issues facing our members today.
Interested Reps should sign up promptly to secure their place.
Revive and Rise! Black Educators' Wellbeing Day
Keynote Speaker: National Executive member Louise Lewis
Sign up link: https://forms.office.com/e/bpttKtvmr4
Ordinary General Meeting 3
Chaired by James Starnes and Kay Gallimore
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
End of Year Social
District Committee Meeting 3
Chaired by James Starnes
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Discussion of budget
North West Regional Council Delegates
Branch Committee Meeting 3
Chaired by Kay Gallimore
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Development Plan
Annual General Meeting (District)
Chaired by James Starnes/Kay Gallimore
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Election of Officers for 2025/26
Setting of Local Subscription Percentage
Reports
Budget Setting
All election nominations must be sent to the returning officer. https://www.neutrafford.org.uk/districtelections
Annual Conference
Every year at Easter, Trafford NEU sends Delegates to Annual Conference, where we vote on matters of local, national and international importance.
Annual General Meeting (Branch)
Chaired by Kay Gallimore
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Election of Officers for 2025/26
All submissions for election nomination must be sent to the Returning Officer Mrs Rashenda Chapman by 14th March 2025 Rashenda.chapman@neu.org.uk
Branch Committee Meeting 2
Chaired by Kay Gallimore
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Health Check
Ordinary General Meeting 2
Chaired by James Starnes and Kay Gallimore
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Delegation for Annual Conference
Prioritise motions to Annual Conference
Nominations for Exec Elections
[Documents] n.b. Motions for prioritisation are sent out via Action Network - please check your junk/spam email if you do not have an email with subject: NEU Trafford OGM2 - Conference Motions and Elections
Minutes of this meeting [PDF]
North West International Solidarity
The online event - open to all NEU members across the North West - is a chance to hear from members involved in International Solidarity activity, covering information about their work along with easy steps as to how NEU members can get involved. Speakers will be:
Susan Piper - Palestine Solidarity
Dave Barter - Ukrainian Education Trade Unions
London NEU - Refugee Outreach in Northern France
Fund Fair Pay - Reps Briefing
In 2025, we have a new government but the same ongoing issues: insufficient funding, a shortage of incoming teachers, and many experienced educators leaving. This impacts our children negatively. Recently, the government suggested a 2.8% pay rise for teachers starting in September, but it is unfunded and doesn’t make up for the pay losses since 2010 or address the rising living costs. It also fails to recognize the hard work of teachers facing more challenges than before. Most importantly, without proper funding for this pay rise, schools will have to decide between cutting staff or resources.
The National Education Union (NEU) has decided to hold a preliminary electronic ballot to see if members are willing to strike for better pay and funding. If the government doesn’t change, the ballot will begin on March 1. Many educators hope Labour can fix the damage done by the previous Tory government, but our schools are in crisis. Without adequate funding for salary increases, most schools will have to make further cuts.
We must tell the government to provide a fair pay rise for all educators and invest in our children’s future. If they don’t, we may have to consider action to secure fair pay and save our schools. United action is crucial for the future of education.
Join us on Monday 27th January at 7pm for more details on how this will unfold.
Meeting ID: 318 843 709 120
Passcode: ET6Yq6fF
Fund Fair Pay - All Members Call
In 2025, we have a new government but the same ongoing issues: insufficient funding, a shortage of incoming teachers, and many experienced educators leaving. This impacts our children negatively. Recently, the government suggested a 2.8% pay rise for teachers starting in September, but it is unfunded and doesn’t make up for the pay losses since 2010 or address the rising living costs. It also fails to recognize the hard work of teachers facing more challenges than before. Most importantly, without proper funding for this pay rise, schools will have to decide between cutting staff or resources.
The National Education Union (NEU) has decided to hold a preliminary electronic ballot to see if members are willing to strike for better pay and funding. If the government doesn’t change, the ballot will begin on March 1. Many educators hope Labour can fix the damage done by the previous Tory government, but our schools are in crisis. Without adequate funding for salary increases, most schools will have to make further cuts.
We must tell the government to provide a fair pay rise for all educators and invest in our children’s future. If they don’t, we may have to consider action to secure fair pay and save our schools. United action is crucial for the future of education.
Join us on Monday 27th January at 6pm for more details on how this will unfold.
District Committee Meeting 2
Chaired by James Starnes
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Fund Fair Pay Update
Funding for Branch Caseworkers
Conference discussion (relating to filling potentially available seats, adoption of Exec resolution for equalities conferences)
Settings/Workplace Election Procedure
Confirmation of Delegation construction for Annual Conference
General communication practice and guidelines
*Hustings for OGM
Stand Up To Racism - Cresta Court Unity Rally
This Saturday, November 30th, join us at Cresta Court in Altrincham at 10:30 a.m. to stand up for humanity and equality. As refugees find shelter at the hotel, far-right groups are spreading fear and division. Let's show them that hate has no place here. Together with Stand Up To Racism, we can demonstrate the power of community and solidarity. Your support matters—let's make our voices heard!
Stand Up To Racism is a UK-based group dedicated to challenging racism and supporting refugees. Their efforts are a reminder that by standing together, we can make a difference.
More details to follow - please join the WhatsApp in the QR code, or ours within the NEU Trafford Community WhatsApp
Ordinary General Meeting 1
Chaired by James Starnes and Kay Gallimore
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Presentation of budget for 24/25
Notification of Annual Conference 2025
Minutes of this meeting [PDF]
District Committee Meeting 1
Chaired by James Starnes
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Advertise Annual Conference 2025 (Harrogate)
Branch Committee Meeting 1
Chaired by Kay Gallimore
Please submit any items for the agenda 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Key Business:
Service Plan