Joint Consultative Committee (teachers) - 13/06/2000

AT a MEETING of the JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TEACHERS held at Dundee on 13th June 2000.

 

PRESENT:-

 

Councillors

 

George de GERNIER

John LETFORD

Elizabeth FORDYCE

Julia STURROCK

Betty WARD

Rod WALLACE

 

Representing Management

 

Alex Stephen

Anne Wilson

Jim Petrie

Sandy Weston

 

Representing Trade Unions

 

Lesley Birtwell

Eric Baillie

Daniel McDonald

Arthur Forrest

Peter Haigh

George Sturrock

 

Also Present

 

Richard Whyte

 

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Councillor Dave BEATTIE

 

Councillor George de GERNIER in the Chair.

 

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Teachers' Joint Consultative Committee. A request was made and agreed to that the names of Union members would be added to the agenda for future meetings.

 

I ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION

 

The Constitution, previously agreed at the Education Committee, was formally adopted.

 

II APPOINTMENT OF OFFICE BEARERS AND SECRETARIAT

 

The following Office Bearers were elected:-

 

1

Vice Chairman:

Daniel McDonald

 

 

 

2

Joint Secretaries:

Sandy Weston - Management

Eric Baillie - Unions

 

III SECURITY IN SCHOOLS

 

The Trade Unions raised concerns that while progress has been made in improving security in Dundee schools in light of the Cullen Report and Report No. 468/96 they felt that they had not been made aware of what all the measures undertaken were although they were conscious of work progressing within their individual schools. It was felt that an update report was now required outlining what work has been done and what is outstanding.

 

The Director of Education reported that Specific funding for security in schools has now ceased but that there is a strategy in place for security at every school.

It was agreed that the Director of Education would bring forward a report to the next JCC outlining what security work/measures have been implemented to date and what still requires to be done. Safety audits in future will involve consultation with all staff.

 

IV REPORTING INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST SCHOOL STAFF

 

A paper was submitted detailing statistics for the last two school sessions. Discussion took place on how accurate the statistics were given that they had shown an increase in incidents which was reflected throughout Scotland as a different method had been used to collect them.

 

It was noted that some schools were not reporting all incidents as teachers tended to use the system only for reporting acts of physical violence. It was suggested that Union Representatives and the Director of Education meet to discuss this subject in a more confidential setting.

 

Teachers do not readily report verbal abuse but tend to use the school disciplinary procedures. It was agreed that the Scottish Executive should be made aware that the scope of their report is too wide but that provision should be made to note incidents of racial abuse.

 

It was agreed that further examination of the issues involved was required. Consideration will be given to re-launch the awareness campaign urging staff to report all incidents of violence with leaflets etc. targeted at all staff and that attempts will be made to record all forms of verbal abuse.

 

V ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACTING APPOINTMENTS FOR PROMOTED POSTS AND SECONDMENTS

 

The Unions stated that acting appointments are important to staff in terms of experience and future promotion prospects and it is important that arrangements for such appointments are fair and transparent.

 

It was agreed that the joint secretaries would submit a report on this matter to the next JCC.

 

VI EMPLOYEE WELFARE AND BENEFITS

 

It was reported that a working group had reported to the Corporate JCC and their recommendations were being looked at.

 

It was agreed to support the work that has already been undertaken and to await the outcomes of the recommendations.

 

VII RECONSTITUTION OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE - ELECTION OF TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE

 

The Unions noted that this process is organised by the Support Services Department and on the last occasion it was felt that not all teachers had had the opportunity to see the paperwork concerning the election.

 

It was agreed that notification of the election in future would be distributed to all Head Teachers, Union Representatives and in Dundee School News.

 

VIII PROGRAMME OF FUTURE MEETINGS

 

The programme of meetings for 2000/2001 is noted below:-

 

1.

Tuesday, 5th September 2000

2.

Tuesday, 12th December 2000

3.

Tuesday, 13th March 2001

4.

Tuesday, 12th June 2001

 

All meetings will commence at 9.15 a.m. and be held in Committee Room 3, 14 City Square, Dundee.