tion, has decided to intervene in negotiations on pay and conditions in order to enonce and for all. His message to the unions is a simple one -union negotiators up to now it is quite likely that they will oblige and accept a deal in Nottingham from the Labour-led local education authorities this weekend which achieves all the government is intent on.
Teachers in England, Wales and Scotland are facing a massive challenge from the Tory government.
will Malcolm Rifkind, secretary of state for scotlana are threatening introduce proposals over the heads of the unions.
These proposals linked to new conditions of employment which would, amongst other things, add extra five days to the worklig ycal, duu all Esta two hours at least onto the week and make teachers totally subservient the demano of The right wing leadership of the National Union of Teachers laid the basis for Baker's intervention by their decision to accept the proposals put forward in Coventry by the Labour-led local education authorities in September. posals were in fact nothing of those put forward by Sir Keith Joseph in 1984 which KENNETH BAKER, secretary of state for educa.the teachers' sure that a deal is reached which ties down teachers either you put the noose round your own neck or I'll do it for you! Given the record of the objectives that the Tory were rejected outright by the same NUT leadership.
The pay deal offered is, of course, dressed up to make it look attractive but it does nothing to restore the per losses which teachers have suttered over the last 12 years. Both the offer Baker to teachers in England and Wales and Rifkind's offer to Scottish teachers are to be spread over a lwo year period. They are presented as 'indivisible packets' and tney are designca to denvel a compliant workforce into at school and local authority level. 1 ne report on leachers Scotland, called the Main conditions Report, went further and proposed that an independent review body be set up to determine teachers pay on a two year basis. In his statement to the House of Commons Baker did not go so far as this but he threatening to scrap the curJay negotiating NUT executive (personal capacity) machinery and bring in legislation to establish new procedures.
Both north and south of the border massive opposiagainst these deals ast against these deals. weck we biggest teacners Scotland the Educational Scotland (EIS) agreed to recommend to its special general meeting in Edinburgh Saturday November an outright re. jection of Rifkind's offer dustrial action to pursue their demands.
On the same day in Nottingham teachers from all over England and will be gathering to express opposition employers new set of proposals which will be tabled for discussion at a residential meeting taking piace between the two sides. The second largest teachers organisation England Owes. the Association of masters/Union Women Teachers (NAS/UWT), will also be demonstrating in the town but their general secretary Fred Smithies has refused the proposal London NAS/UWT to invite a speaker from the In ner London branch of the NUT to address their rally.
If a deal is stitched up this weekend it will be put to The NUT executive Wednesday 12 November. Assuming ther ratity agreement special ference will be held on 29 November and the recommendation from it will be put to all the membership y way of ballot before th end of Decembe An effective campaign nak been by militants in both Scotland The Cam paign for a Fighting Union (CAFU) based in Glasgow has led the move establish a united left position through the Scottish Federation of Socialist Teachers, whilst in England Wales the Socialist Teachers' Alliance has been organising through the local Association Pay Ac tion Conference (LAPAC, to bring together all those opposed to the sell-out and fight Baker's manoeuvres. manoeuvre The Tories are not just out to get teachers however Baker has made it clear tha wallli allack the whole of the education bringing back Dysleill. forms of selection.
The fact that the further educatior NATHE, has rejected similar deal opens up the prospect of a united fight in LIC CONCALUE SCIOE A major missing factor 1o luclack ul ally ODDUsILIl within the Labour Party to the right wing leadership of the local eduation bodies. It their proposals, supLabour Party politicians, like Frances Morrell, leader of the Inner London Education Authority, which have opened the way for Baker.
The NUT leaders, like Kinnock, firmly believe that settle a dea. with Labour now it will be better than having one imposed bi the Tories. At a time when the NUT is losing members they believe that the way to solve the crisis in education is to get on good terms witt the shadow cabinet in order to be looked on favourably in the event of a Labour victory It should come as no surprise that one of the Chel airenect or this strategy is NUT general : secretary, Fred who also happens to be this year's president of the TUC!