Jumat, 18 November 2011

Teachers vote for pensions strike

18 November 2011 Last updated at 11:58 GMT By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News Head of the NASUWT Chris Keates said she hoped strike action ''won't be necessary''

Thousands of teachers in the UK have voted to strike over changes to their pensions and pay.

The NASUWT union said 80% of those who voted backed the action, but added it was "not inevitable" that its members would strike on 30 November with other public sector workers.

It has announced its members will work to rule from 1 December.

But other teaching unions are poised to join the national day of action and thousands of schools could close.

The NASUWT balloted more than 230,000 members in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It asked members if they were prepared to strike and also if they were in favour of action "short of a strike".

With a turnout of about 40%, it says 82% voted for a strike, while 91% backed action short of a strike.

'Parent-friendly action' Its leader Chris Keates said she hoped there will be movement from the government and that the main focus would now be action short of a strike - in effect, a work to rule.

"There is nothing inevitable about 30 November, it's a last resort, " she said.

"It is not the main focus. The members of the NASUWT have voted for industrial action that will be pupil, parent and public friendly.

"The coalition government needs now to take seriously the concerns voiced by the teachers today.

"This is a vote that cannot be ignored."

The union has said regardless of what action is taken on 30 November, its members will take industrial action short of a strike from 1 December.

This could mean teachers not working more than 32 and a half hours a week and refusing to carry out administrative tasks such as collecting money, putting up displays and administering exams.

Rising costs

Teachers and heads are angered by planned government changes to the teachers' pension scheme (TPS) which, they say, will mean teachers working longer, paying more and receiving less when they retire.

The government says with people living longer, the cost of public sector pensions is rising and reforms are needed.

Earlier this month it made a new offer, including protection for anyone within 10 years of their pension age.

Negotiations are continuing between it and the unions.

The NASUWT has lodged a formal trade dispute with the government over workload, conditions of service, pensions and jobs.

Education Secretary Michael Gove has urged teachers not to strike.

The government has been giving schools advice on how they might stay open in the event of a strike and cover for absent teachers.

Schools will be taking decisions soon on whether to stay open on 30 November and will begin telling parents.

Under union law, union executives need to give notice that they are taking strike action at least seven days before action is taken although individuals do not have to tell their employer they intend to strike.

The National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers have already voted for strike action over pensions, as has the National Association of Head Teachers - in the first strike call in its history.

The NAHT has not yet said it will call a strike however and is hoping for movement from the government.


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