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From The Socialist newspaper, 4 May 2011
More teachers vote for pensions strike ballot
Headteachers have voted overwhelmingly to ballot for strike action over pension cuts. At the annual conference of the National Association of Head Teachers 99.6% voted for a ballot, while 0.4% abstained.
They join other teaching unions NUT and ATL, who are likely to strike at the end of June over the same issue, probably with the lecturers' union UCU and civil service union PCS.
NASUWT members should be demanding a strike ballot as well, so they can prepare to join the action.
Mike, a young teacher and NUT member from east London explains why strike action is necessary: "I'll be £230,000 worse off under the proposed scheme if I have taken my pension for 25 years, and will no doubt have to use a Zimmer frame while teaching at the grand old age of 68, if I can reach the chalkboard or control a class of highly energetic 16 year olds.
"I will be paying an extra £84 each month in contributions (this amounts to over £33,000 over 38 years) which will not help me to pay off my student debt, nor get a deposit for a flat. Pay much more, work more, get much less, I won't pay for the bankers' profligacy with my pension!"
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
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In The Socialist 4 May 2011:
Socialist Party NHS campaign
NHS Cuts: Stop the Con-Dem wreckers
NHS: Stop the Connaught closure
Youth fight for jobs
Socialist Party editorial
Cracks grow in Con-Dem coalition
Socialist Party feature
Socialist Party news and analysis
Review: The monarchy - reserve weapon of the ruling class?
May Day in Kazakhstan marked by attacks on socialists
Coventry residents' victory over Academy land snatch
Socialist Party workplace news
More teachers vote for pensions strike ballot
Rotherham teachers strike again to defend their union rep
National Shop Stewards Network
Socialist Party feature
Paris commune 1871: When workers "stormed heaven".
Already posted on the Socialist Party website
Osama Bin Laden - killed by US forces
Socialists elected to leading positions in Greenwich Unite
Solidarity action builds for BP/Vivergo Saltend workers
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