The rally was well attended and addressed by speakers from the National Union of Teachers (NUT), Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), University and Colleges Union (UCU) and Unison. Much was made of the importance of unity amongst public sector unions and workers' determination to continue the fight.
As long as the unions don't bottle it, this could be the start of a long fight. Watch this space.
Some more
24.04.2008 15:54
Disillusioned kid
fuck em
24.04.2008 17:09
class-room-war
No, fuck you! 'Greedy chattering classes'?!
24.04.2008 19:41
As for the other things you mention, like the structure of the education system, of course you are right. But people only become aware of these things, and feel able to fight them, when solidarity is extended from workplace to workplace, regardless of what type of work we are in. That is 'class consciousness', something you seem to be lacking.
Neon Black
Homepage: http://dreaming-neon-black.blogspot.com
See your point, but...
24.04.2008 20:05
Plus anyone who thinks that every teacher is a member of the 'chattering classes' has got their wires crossed. If you were there you'd realise this strike and the potential ongoing actions have got everything to do with what's taught, how it's taught, and why it's taught. The privatisation of education, the mass of targets and the increase in testing at all stages are all parts of the NUTs action. However, worker's solidarity can be built on pay, and the disparity between pay and inflation is a common thread across all working people and by having the PCS, Unison, and other union reps involved, a coalition of workers is building, based on their (even lower than teachers') pay increases. The NUT are trying to build a coalition, and you can't do that by only focusing on educational issues, as you'd cut off any links with other unions.
Workers solidarity is both for the workers and by the workers, and less sniping form the sidelines and more involvement would be helpful.
Not speaking FOR the NUT but...
wow
25.04.2008 13:17
glad I got chance to pop by & blow my horn, oo err,
thanks for the cheer!!! keep it up,
More parents should have been with you,
heres to the next one & a tactical general strike that the TUC doesn't seem capable of at the moment, it only makes those in the ruling classes who deserve it& make the rest,
www.iww.org.uk
Green Syndicalist