THE NATIONAL Union of Teachers stepped up action in support of its pay claim this week against the employers' derisory offer of four per cent. Teachers in areas were called out on The action involved about 6000 teachers in 353 schools.
In Scotland, the Educational Institute of Scotland, the main teachers union, were also involved in action affecting 7000 teachers.
The National CASSOC ation of Teachers Further and Higher Education is balloting memDCIS aculon Tejecting an offer similar to that made to the teachers. It will be asking its members to ban overtime workIng a cover orance n colleagues.
The employers have responded to the teachers' refusal to cover for absent. colleagues by threatening to acuuut pay. The NU1 has always insisted that such cover. and duties like supervision of meals, are not part of their contract Solihull Newcastle have started these ductions, about other authorities are waiting to follow suit.
The NU executive's response has been to take these LWO authorities to court rather than step up the action against them. If the courts run true to the the miners' strike the NUT has little chance of winning the action.
The Tories are determined hold the against • the teachers' pay claim in pursuit their policy holding down public sector wages. The NUt. as the main union in volved, must go for an all out strike if the claim is to succeed. ON WEDNESDAY 6 March, the day after the miners' return-to-work, 150 engineering workers at the Trafof Colman Fastners walked out in pursuit of a wage claim. Twenty months ago Colman Fastners was the scene of a struggle for GCHQ. and cam. paigning for the miners.
The union is now turning its attention to low pay The company's offer Wollove This would leave workers at Colman Fastners £20 short engines in averan chester area.
Ken Ward, a machine setter, summed the mood: 'We felt insulted'.
Day De Havilland in the toolroom explained: 'We have to fight back'. The vole al a lass mcculle wa. about 70 percent for strike action Support from the local labour movement has been instantaneous. Local MP, Tony Lloyd Frided the Porkers nicker ine as Friday.
Cancelle factories have sent delegations and financial support. But most inspiring of all has been the support from the miners The strike committee at Agecrott have supplied a strike hut, the use of their van an olet provisions their valuable advice. Colin Lenton, treasurer of Bold NUM has circulated an appeal to the movement benall or tne strikels 'Colman Fastners, savs. 'nave been a regula contributor of support to dispute over the last 12 months, providing consistent financia support physical solidar ity on the picket line, and • port inside the AUEW.
'We will certainly
doing our best to return the solidarity we have ceived, supporting Colman Fastners in thei ignt against low pay. We hope you can join us. • Messages of support ano donations Colmar Fastners Strike Fund, c/0 AUEW House 43 Cresent. Salford MS 4PE.
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BOMBS ASSEMBLE 1.00 p.m. FOLESHILL PARK NOT TEGWU 51920 BRANCH. Supported by
COVENTRY MINERS SUPPORT COMMITTEE 34 OTHERS, YOND.