Sheffield trade unions ‘proved right’ as Prime Minister closes schools in national lockdown after months of pressure

Boris Johnson delivered news of a fresh national lockdown on Monday evening, with tougher restrictions and school closures in place, despite the Government bereating the National Education Union (NEU) less than 24 hours earlier for calling for an immediate school shutdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The move came shortly after the Prime Minister said Covid restrictions were “probably about to get tougher” but insisted that “schools are safe.”

Trade Unions in Sheffield say the U-turn was inevitable when the Government realised thousands of NEU members were prepared to refuse work amid fears of Covid in schools and had won huge support from parents and the wider community.

Martin Mayer, Secretary of Sheffield Trade Union Council (TUC), said: “Yet again the trade unions have been proved right in calling for swift and urgent action to close the schools, after months of being ignored.

“Ever since the schools went back after the summer, the NEU and the other education unions (including UNISON, UNITE, GMB) have said that schools were not Covid safe, and infection would spread to the wider community unless action was taken e.g. to ensure social distancing and provide more space.

"They were right then, and they were right now to demand schools are closed as cross-infection from schools into the wider community is one of the primary causes of the recent surge in infection rates.”

John Ross, president of Sheffield NEU, chaired a zoom meeting of the Sheffield TUC Covid-19 Council of Action on Tuesday, attended by teachers, parents, other trade unionists and some Labour councillors.

He said “I am so proud of my union for the incredible campaign it launched nationally and which won so much support locally from teachers, parents, other unions and the wider community.

"The Government has continued to fail us at every turn during this pandemic, refusing to take action until the last minute, creating worry, confusion and unnecessary uncertainty”.

There are now calls for Sheffield TUC to seek an urgent meeting with Sheffield Council to discuss the way forward, including what measures are needed to make schools Covid-safe when they reopen.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.