NUT executive - vote for Linda Taaffe

SOCIALIST PARTY member Linda Taaffe is standing for re-election to the national executive of the National Union of Teachers (NUT).

Linda says:

"As a national executive member since 1988 I have always argued for the leadership to commit itself to a bolder national fight-back. Never has this been more urgent. Let's build our union into a force to be reckoned with!"

She is calling for a campaign of action against the government's plans to unleash the free market on schools. And she is calling for privatised education services to be taken back into local authority control.

National pay rates for teachers are under threat. Performance pay through TLRs is having to be fought through industrial action, or the threat of it, in an increasing number of schools. The Education Bill will make things worse, by allowing schools to set their own pay and conditions.

The trade unions forced the government to climb down over the retirement age for existing teachers but the final pensions package is still awaited. Some teachers and many teaching assistants are covered by the local government pensions scheme. Linda is calling for national action on pensions to be reinstated if necessary and for full support for education workers taking action over their pensions.

Workload is still a major problem for teachers - Linda is calling for a 35-hour week and an end to meaningless additions to teachers' workload. Linda says: "Many young teachers find themselves with little time for a life outside school and not much money in their pocket to show for it!"

Linda is standing for an Outer London seat on the executive and she is calling for pay parity with Inner London for all London teachers.

The election runs from 15 March - 5 April. For more information: linda.taaffe@wfnut.org

Iraq: withdraw troops: workers unity