NASUWT: Largest teacher’s union marches for the alternative
Thousands of teachers from the largest teachers’ union in the UK, the NASUWT, will march through the streets of London to demonstrate against the Coalition Government’s cuts to public services on Saturday 26 March 2011.
Tens of thousands of teachers from all regions of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be converging on the capital via pre-booked coaches and trains, as well as via other routes.
Teachers are furious at the savage cuts that have already been made to education and other public services, which are having a profoundly negative effect on children’s education and wellbeing.
Kathy Wallis, an NASUWT member from Cornwall who has taught for 35 years, said that she is joining the march because:
“I chose to work in the state sector and I believe in quality education that is free and equally accessible to all students. I am marching to take a stand against the Coalition Government’s cuts, which will damage the education of my students.”
Karen Kellar, a 56-year-old home economics teacher from Kirkcaldy in Scotland, said that she has made the decision to demonstrate for the first time in her life because:
“It is the only way I feel I can have a voice and be heard. I want to know that I did everything I could to stop the cuts.”
The NASUWT is campaigning against the cuts and championing education.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
“The NASUWT is proud to be marching for the alternative.
“Nobody is safe from this Coalition Government’s relentless assault on our public services.
“We are standing together to say that the Coalition Government has no mandate to sell off or give away our schools, hospitals and other public services.
“There simply is no truth in the Coalition Government’s claim that there is no alternative to these savage and ideologically driven cuts to our public services.
“The public should not be made to pay the price for the greedy and reckless behaviour of the banks and financial institutions that created the economic mess in the first place.
“Our economic recovery depends on everyone having access to high quality public services.”
Notes to editors
1. Many thousands of NASUWT members have pre-booked seats to travel to London by coach, rail and ferry for the march on 26 March 2011.
2. Many more members from London and the South East are making their way on foot and by tube.
3. On the day:
. Chris Keates will address the rally in Hyde Park following the march, and is available for interview.
. Peter Graham, Senior Press Officer, will be there on the day and can be contacted on 07966 195 010.
4. Please contact the NASUWT press office if you wish to speak to teachers, or for an interview with someone from the Union, or for any further information about the March for the Alternative.
5.
ENDS
Press Office: 0207 420 9680/81
(Monday – Friday 8.30-17.30)
Out of hours: 07966 195010/ 07966 198894
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