Reform Act in schools strict "contract levels of pay. While this action was "pupular education programme in the interests of the working class and the We should rememher the situation in which Baker initially introduced the legislation. Between 1984 and 1986, the leaching unions were in- volved in a prolonged period of in dustral action in pursuit of improved always of a limited nature, teachers were able to keep the Tory education offensive at hay. Keith Josephi, the SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 18, October 1989 teachers and therefore the question of building grassroots resistance is cru- cial. Further than this, however, trade unionists must build new alliances with others involved to challenge some of the assumptions involved in A successful fightback against the Tory attacks in education depends on rebuilding confidence amongst The ERA has meant a huge in- crease in workload for classroom develop a new the workforce. education and
had the leadership - made up of a block between the Labour right and compliant leucher force if their long- tion in which the Executive were taking the union. Resolutions hacked by the Socialist Teachers Alliance 1987, six thousand ILTA members After being suspended for a year. the ILTA leadership was reinstated: yet morale amongst union activists has remained low, Baker and the Tories need a generally passive and lemm plans for education are to be Despite those attacks, the left At this year's Conference, large mum- hers of delegates opposed the direc- organised strikes and demonstrations against Baker - on the coldest day of within the NUT has remained strong. struck and look to the streets: successtul. creased influence of Doug McAvoy. being many trade union The leadership soon to be the new sive redeployment moved from their of the NUT moved the right. Under the in- tion cuts became regular events. The pursued an exten- already tion by the Tones, with lined up for aboli- authoritics, educa- quickly to programme, activists schools. SUPPLEMENT ILEA, Carl Taylor
Conmunists (of all varictics) -on the rack. Campaigns on salaries, where the STA called for a £2,500 flat rate increase for all teachers, defence of conditions of service and opposition to proposals for nabional testing, will continue this academnie year. No profit for lecturers in look place against leaders of the Inner London Teachers Association, who democracy within under attack. The leadership attempted to abolish an- nual conference as part of u policy of centralisation of control. A witchunt contractual. Trade union negotiating ments imposed. Al the same time, such as after-school moetings and "cover" for absences - now became rights were abolished, and pay settle- the particulariy
SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 18, October 1989 pute over conditions with body: National action is issued to new staff this summer - will only isolate whatever the legal status of Polytechnics and In- stituter of Higher Educa- tion, this is a national dis- bonal stoppages in Higher tion is now a 'plc". But the question is - bow can we win? Confining action Lo the localities immediately affected - like Kingston Polytochnic where new- style contracts have been These can be organised in conjunction with students. against ly argue that they will be Education as cach institu- who will anyhow be or- taken to court for secon dary action if they call na NATFHE will probab the way this will be won. sparate institutions. ganising action loans this ycar. '