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Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/22051
Posted on 19 January 2016 at 13:58 GMT
Anti-academy strike in Birmingham
NUT members at Small Heath school in Birmingham have started nine days of strike action (19-21 and 26-28 January and 2-4 February) against the threat to turn their school into an academy. The school has failed to properly engage with staff, pupils or parents. Teachers took five days of strike action before Christmas over this issue.
Two days after teachers voted to take this round of strike action, NUT rep Simon O'Hara was suspended by management in an obvious attempt to break the action. About 50 teachers and suporters attended the first picket on a feeezing cold morning and heard many passing cars toot their horns in support. The mood was lively and determined. Teachers in the NASUWT will strike over the same issue on 20 and 21 January.
The picket line was visited by NUT NEC and Socialist Party member Jane Nellist.
The teachers are determined to win what could be a bitter dispute.
- Please send protests about Simon O'Hara's suspension to: [email protected]
- Messages of support to: [email protected]
- Sign the online petition in support of Simon at chn.ge/1Q12Jm4
Clive Walder, Birmingham Socialist Party
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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.
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.
2020