TUESDAY SEPTEMBER saw the biggest ever London teachers' when staggering 25,000 members of the NUT came the UlEd sutels represents 70 per cent of the London membership.
last ten YCa1s teachers' living conditions in real terms have worsenportunivers per .eno men portunities w willl 4eC ne0 despite Me ILEA who caim toiee measures authorities equal opportunity employers.
The new term has seen an oscaalon acuons pursuit of the teachers' ong-standing claim. Overwhelming majorities have been recorded for half day action and for strict work rule teaching and marking in Lambeth NUT school time only. Quite clearly, any hopes that the teachers cave in and accept what Wy as U11 otter have Cocen dashed.
The Tories. via Department of Education ana science. nave attemo ted through various offers to attach strings to any settlement. Teachers' actions at present make it clear that any attempt to link pay to changes in working conditions will be LIAL" ceptable.
The problem facing NUT members now is how coralale turther ballots are being held calling on teachers to support haif day strike action each month to september This should be supported, but does not représent a new initiative.
First, the direction of. the dispute is mainly in the hands of the executive, who have been prevented from negotiating any deal largely because NUT members' persistence. However, 11U guarantee against such a Roy Lynk turnets wno nave already signed up tọ remain in the national union.
Many miners signed forms I Cuilclli at the end of the Wellbeck mcelllg, cluding right through the number who worked On top of all this, the government's own tification officer, wilo lde to be convinced that the breakaway is a bona fide having a hard time of it. That's not breakaway is bound hand foot the Coal Board, but the upshot yet more delays for Lynk. The ballot on the deal, and therefore a recall national Within such consider extended This could be colic areas, extended others.
LcallCs preferably Institute of Scotland NATFHE tion is until breakaway. recently set now There a powerful antils the breakaway is allowing men araw CONCH would inforce this.
government legislation appoint He also to outline attempted the Orgreave Mansfield riot explaining "It I01 no others', The received thunderous applause Jeadesnd whole labour movement.
per cent strike pay for the The NUT's funds unlikely strike pay order prepare for NUT the that struggle Bluzeic which, dowut pay, whole of state education Thatcher's axe.
Faced with growing isolation crumbling support, Lynk's only answer has been to step up his campaign of villifica tion against the NUM leadership. Lynk's 'policy is to appeal to Notts men on the basis 'You will become the best-paid men in the counhave want. ing Post, 27 September).
This, too, being treated with growing sceptism as the board's new round of pit closures unyeiled. Lynk has tried to belittle the NUM campaign stressing the strength of his hi-tech operation. The fact is that the modern 'communicaOSMeLOCON Lynk has used, such as giant posters and pop records, have failed to convince anyone, whereas the 'tactic. of the '20s and '30s' used by the NUM through public meetings, ralles and mass involvement are beginning to drive home the message of loyalty to the national