Teachers poised for strike action
Friday, 20 May 2011 12:01 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
A prominent teachers' union has begun balloting its members over strike action due to changes to their pensions.
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) is today starting a ballot process that will see 80,000 teachers and lecturers decide on whether to undertake industrial action towards the end of the summer term.
"ATL is not a militant union, but even our members are furious," general secretary Mary Bousted said.
"They feel betrayed by the government which has broken its deal with them - the deal to work for less than many comparable degree-level professions but receive a modest and secure pension."
The government is planning on pushing ahead with a firm plan for increased pension contributions in July.
"It is impossible to negotiate with a gun to our head. We are taking a stand now to make the government stop and listen to reason," Ms Bousted said.
The ballot will run from today to Tuesday June 14th. The strike would take place once public exams are over and be coordinated with other teaching unions.
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