NASUWT comments on the shadow chancellor's speech on the economy

Monday, 16 January 2012 1:24 PM

Commenting on the speech made by the Shadow Chancellor, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, said:

"The decision to impose pay restraint on public service workers has already been taken by the Chancellor in the context of his madcap economic strategy.

"Imposed pay restraint is unjust and unnecessary but the Shadow Chancellor is right to highlight that at a time of a deep economic crisis for many working people a key priority is either holding onto or obtaining a job.

"The Shadow Chancellor's emphasis on the need for government to take responsibility for investing in jobs is in stark contrast to the Chancellor's flawed strategy of hoping beyond hope that jobs magically will be created by the private sector.

"I welcome the Shadow Chancellor's recognition of the importance of and commitment to pay review bodies. The alternative is a pay free for all which benefits the few rather than the many.

"However, in a context of pay restraint to support job creation, it is still critically important to recognise the contribution being made by teachers and other public sector workers to rebuilding the economy.

"Public service workers have never asked to be a special case but they will expect Labour firmly to reject the government's callous attitude of 'count yourself lucky you have a job' and to champion not only investment in jobs but also decent and fair working conditions and creative ways in which the workforce can be recognised and rewarded for the vital work they do.

"If the Shadow Chancellor is initiating a debate about how the role of review bodies could be extended to embrace these considerations, then the NASUWT would be prepared to enter it." 

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