Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/669/11956
From The Socialist newspaper, 4 May 2011
Rotherham teachers strike again to defend their union rep
Over 30 members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) at Rawmarsh Community School in Rotherham went on strike again on 4-5 May against compulsory redundancies.
The only member of the NUT being forced out is union representative Ralph Dyson, who led nine days of strikes earlier this year to stop 25 jobs being axed.
One NUT member said: "We're not going to abandon Ralph to sink when he held the lifeboats for the rest of us to get in."
The dispute started when new head teacher Dr Stuart Wilson announced that 25 teachers and nine support workers were being made redundant at the end of the spring term due to financial difficulties.
But after solid and determined strike action, the number of enforced redundancies among teachers was reduced to just one.
Some teachers left for other jobs, went part-time, shared jobs or took voluntary redundancy. But the one left, Ralph, is a clear case of victimisation of the union rep.
John Dalton, Rotherham NUT branch secretary said: "Management expected the NUT to call off action but the members voted overwhelmingly to continue action until the number of NUT redundancies is zero."
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
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.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
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
Home | The Socialist 4 May 2011 | Join the Socialist Party
2020