NI teachers vote to join strike

Published Friday, 18 November 2011
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Northern Ireland's largest teaching union has voted to back the one-day strike action planned for 30 November, in the ongoing row over public sector pensions.

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More than two million workers across the UK are expected to walk out, in protest over government reforms that unions say will leave them paying more, working longer and receiving less when they retire.

NASUWT is the latest union to declare the result of a ballot on industrial action, with around 40% turnout and a majority of about 80% voting in favour of the strike.

"Our schools are on the brink of a crisis affecting recruitment and retention - only the recession is preventing a mass exodus," General Secretary Chris Keates said.

"The members of the NASUWT have today confirmed that we cannot go on like this."

Members of the NASUWT did not rush to take industrial action - however, their patience has been severely tested. The NI Assembly needs now to take seriously the concerns voiced by teachers.

NASUWT

Those taking part in the vote - the union's first national ballot in over a decade - also backed plans to work to rule from 1 December.

"NASUWT members will be taking further action to reclaim the classroom from the shackles of unnecessary paperwork, bureaucracy and debilitating accountability," Chris Keates added.

"They will be standing up for standards and demonstrating once and for all the importance of teaching."

Members of the National Association of Head Teachers, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and the Irish National Teaching Organisation have already voted in favour of the 30 November walk-out.

The union Unite - whose members in Northern Ireland include Translink workers - has also backed the day of strike action, making disruption to services likely.

Michael Doran, a Unite representative for Belfast bus drivers, told UTV: "I want to take this opportunity to apologise to anyone who will be inconvenienced by the buses not operating, but we have a right to fight for what we believe is true and rightfully ours - and that is our pension."

Across the UK, schools, courts, government offices, job centres, driving tests, council services and hospitals are all expected to see some level of disruption.

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said on Thursday: "We have listened to the concerns of public sector workers about their pensions and responded with a new generous settlement which is beyond the dreams of most private employees.

"I urge the trade unions to devote their energy to reaching agreement and not to unnecessary and damaging strike action, which is often on the basis of low turnout."

© UTV News
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6 Comments
martin in London wrote (184 days ago):
Public sector pensions can't be funded because their contributions are not enough to cover the final payouts. Its not a case of private sector envy it's simple mathmatics.
Gerard in Belfast wrote (187 days ago):
Brilliant to see workers stand up and fight back against Downing Street and Stormont. For all those private sector workers who criticise public sector workers, listen to yourselves. Your argument has no logic. How would reducing the living standards of public sector workers - the same living standards you want as a private sector worker - improve your own lot? Join a union or form one instead of turning against your fellow workers. Ask yourselves this, "Workers divided only benefits who?"
c in glengormley wrote (187 days ago):
no harm martin but see if your were paying a huge amount into your pension fund getting alot less back you would be striking to!and as for the holidays the teachers dont get paid for the them.i work in the school as a classroom assistant and the teacher who i work with are not very happy with striking but the have to go with what their union says!so my advice to you is to shut it and stop ur moaning!
Tomc in Belfast wrote (188 days ago):
The issue here is if you are told X when you go into a profession, you should receive X. So people looked at a career and decided to move into that career because of what it offered, financially and otherwise, if that deal changes then they have a right to feel hacked off. I'd rather stick a rusty fork in my eye than be a teacher. The crap they put up with is beyond belief given the attitude of kids and parents today. If a new person joins the profession, let them have new changed conditions, but for those who joined and accepted existing terms, let them remain as is.
Martin in London wrote (188 days ago):
Hard to be sympathetic to teachers/ public sector workers in general where pensions are concerned. They have amazing pensions that their earnings could not buy in the private sector. In addition they have unbelievable job security and in teachers cases a 6 week break in the summer as well as better Xmas and Easter breaks. How much more can you really ask for? Private sector workers pay their own pensions and are lucky to get 25 days holiday in a year. Teachers are well paid. And let's be honest if teachers could get a better deal in the private se for they'd have taken it. I think it's time to put up with it. Your salary contributions aren't sufficient to pay your pensions so private sector taxes are used to top it up. Time to put up or shut and shut up me thinks. P.S I know there are loads of great teachers out there doing a good job but that's the same in any sector
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