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From The Socialist newspaper, 17 October 2007
National Union of Teachers
Working longer hours for less pay
Figures released from the government show that primary teachers work 51.5 hours a week – up from 50.1 hours last year. Special school teachers' hours have gone up from 43.9 to 45 hours. And secondary teachers' hours have only been marginally reduced from 49.1 to 48.7 hours.
Linda Taaffe
And we are getting less pay! The proportion of classroom teachers holding management allowances is down from around 51% to 43%. 30,000 less teachers hold responsibility points.
Now the government tell us, along with all other public-sector workers that we can only have a 2% increase over the next three years. That would mean five years with below-inflation increases.
At the October meeting of the NUT national executive, there was a chance to take a bold decision to ballot and take action alongside other public-sector workers.
Local government workers in Unison are balloting for action; civil servants in PCS too. Post office workers have been on strike over pay and privatisation. Why not join forces to fight a common grievance?
Unbelievably a sizeable majority of our leadership rejected this call. What a missed opportunity! Teachers need to show they are not prepared to just accept this situation.
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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 17 October 2007:
National Health Service Cutbacks and privatisation kill
The vultures are circling ever closer
Postal dispute
Postal workers waiting to assess Royal Mail deal
Fighting Royal Mail management's attacks
Solid unofficial action in East London
National Shop Stewards' Network meetings
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
International Appeal
Students on trumped-up charges
Socialist Students
National Shop Stewards Network
Young workers and students need to get involved
"You've got to stick together"
Stop the placement rip-off now!
Campaign for a New Workers Party
Trade Union Freedom Bill
Trade Union Freedom Bill: Banishing Thatcher's anti-union legacy?
Working longer hours for less pay
Socialist Party women
ITV2 - making a good deal out of women's bodies
International socialist news and analysis
Workers' struggle and political instability sends Polish government into meltdown
Australia: Liberals v Labour - no choice for working people in election
Socialist Party news and analysis
Children's homes at risk of buy-outs
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