New threat of strikes by school teachers

A priority motion on public sector pensions, is expected to be discussed at the National Union of Teachers (NUT) conference in Torquay on Saturday, calling for joint walkouts this summer and beyond to “defeat the government’s proposals”.

It says that the NUT should attempt to build a “coalition of unions” committed to more strikes.

The summer term is the main exam period for schools across the UK, although the NUT insisted it was not the union’s intention to disrupt it.

Jerry Glazier, from the NUT’s national executive, told Channel 4 News: “Strike action is still very much on the cards. Teachers are very angry about the way they are being treated by the government.”

The NUT took part in a walkout over pensions on 30 June last year, which was after the exams period, as well as joining the TUC’s national day of action on 30 November. NUT members in London also staged a one-day walkout last month.

The union argues that the government’s reforms will leave teachers paying in more, working longer and receiving less when they retire.

Ministers insisted that changes to public sector pensions are needed to ensure they are sustainable for the future.

While teachers of both major unions were fighting their corner at seperate conferences, no one from the government was available to speak earlier.

The Department of Education issued a statement which read: “The deal on teachers’ pensions is as good as it gets and takes the right balance. We’ve been in serious talks for months with unions to address their concerns and reach a final settlement.”