NUT to strike on 30 June
The NUT National Executive today (Wednesday 15 June) unanimously endorsed national strike action over pensions on 30 June. The NUT’s pension ballot, which closed yesterday, showed a massive 92% in favour of strike action.
Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
“Teachers do not take strike action lightly but the overwhelming support for action by NUT members shows that teachers feel what is happening to their pensions is wrong.
“The NUT will continue to take part in the TUC-led negotiations with Government on pensions. So far there is no evidence that the Government is taking those talks seriously. We hope that our action and that of the ATL will persuade the Government to change its attitude.
“The Government cannot say that the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme (TPS) is unaffordable. The NUT agreed to changes in 2007 which increased contributions and retirement ages, capped employers’ contributions and accepted that teachers might pay more in future if they need to. We believe these have ensured the long term sustainability of the scheme as does the National Audit Office which says that costs are falling as planned. The Government should carry out the valuation of the TPS, now a year overdue, instead of making these unnecessary and unsupported proposals.
“The simple truth is that many teachers cannot afford a 50% increase in their pension contributions. NUT surveys show that many teachers will leave the scheme and even leave the profession. The Government needs to address these issues in its negotiations.
“The NUT believes teachers’ pensions are affordable. We have been prepared to negotiate and agree reforms in the past. The Government should stick to the agreements made in 2007, not try to ride roughshod over them”.
fEND pr87-2011
For further details contact Caroline Cowie on 0207 380- 4706 or 07879480061
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