Teachers may strike over pension changes

teachERS could be set to stage a walkout in the growing row over pensions with a decision on whether to call a ballot for industrial action being put to union members gathering in Yorkshire this weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Apr 2011, 07:00 BST

Millions of pupils at almost every school in England and Wales could be affected if members of two of the country’s teaching unions strike over the coalition’s proposed pensions changes, union leaders claimed.

Speaking at the start of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) annual conference in Harrogate, general secretary Christine Blower said: “Our combined membership (NUT and ATL) would mean very, very large numbers of schools across England and Wales would be affected.”

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The NUT is expected to debate a priority resolution calling for a ballot on industrial action at the conference this weekend, just days after Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) members backed a ballot on strike action at their conference in Liverpool.

Both fear the coalition’s changes to public-sector pensions will leave them paying more, working longer and receiving less when they retire.

If approved, action could take place as early as June.

The last time NUT members took strike action was in 2008, when they staged a one-day walkout in a row over pay.

ATL has never taken national industrial action but members jeered and heckled Schools Minister Nick Gibbs as he attempted to justify the Government’s pensions plans on Wednesday. As he told delegates he understood the strength of feeling on the issue, he was met with cries of “Rubbish”.

Related topics:TeachersYorkshireWalesEngland