Workers Revolutionary Party - NUT – NATIONAL STRIKE BALLOT

The News Line: News Wednesday, 18 May 2011 NUT – NATIONAL STRIKE BALLOT

Teachers and school support staff united against the savage attacks on state education by the Tory-LibDem coalition government

The NUT ballot of members for national strike action in defence of teachers’ pensions commenced yesterday, and will close at midday on Tuesday June 14.

NUT Annual Conference voted overwhelmingly in favour of balloting members for discontinuous strike action in opposition to unfair and unnecessary changes to teachers’ pensions.

The Union is balloting all members of the NUT in England and Wales who are eligible for membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) including teachers in schools, sixth form colleges and academies and many teachers employed in local authorities’ central education services.

Christine Blower, NUT General Secretary said: ‘We welcome the fact that we are balloting alongside the ATL and also welcome the decisions taken by the NAHT and ASCL to defend teachers’ pensions.

‘UCU has already taken action in respect of TPS members. We are happy to campaign alongside them.
‘The anger amongst teachers is growing.

‘It is quite clear that the Government wants teachers to pay more, work longer and get less for their pensions and the Government has already cut the annual pensions increase with no negotiation.

‘It is vital that we build the broadest campaign to send a clear message to Government that this is not acceptable.

‘Teachers’ pensions are affordable and essential.

‘Our own surveys show that the proposed increases to the TPS will mean that many young teachers could opt out of the scheme all together.

‘This will have disastrous consequences for the profession and recruitment.’