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NUT at the TUC
A future that works
Debates at this year’s TUC Congress in Brighton in September reflected growing anger with the Government’s austerity measures. Janey Hulme reports.
A lengthy debate on pensions was sparked by NUT Deputy General Secretary Kevin Courtney’s speech railing against the unfair changes “introduced by a cabinet of millionaires”.
“[The] ’68 is too late’ [campaign] is not just about public sector workers. Under government plans, anyone in any job who’s less than 36 years old will have to work until at least 68 to get their state pension,” he said, adding that France pays pensions at 62, fi nanced by higher tax on the wealthy and companies. “Which is better for the UK – a Robin Hood Tax to bring in £20bn a year from the banks, or working people until they drop?” he asked.
Calling for an independent investigation into this summer’s GCSE English exams and a campaign for fair grading, Alex Kenny (NUT Executive) moved an emergency motion on the GCSE fi asco. “Combined with the abolition of EMAs (education maintenance allowance), trebling of tuition fees and one million youth unemployed, this is the biggest attack on working class aspirations and ambitions for generations – and we have to resist it.”
Moving a motion on youth unemployment, NUT President Marilyn Harrop said: “The average unemployment rate for 16 to 24 year olds is 21.9 per cent, and for 16 to 17 year olds that rises to 37.6 per cent.” She pointed out that, though David Cameron said “we’re all in this together”, austerity measures and cuts in public spending don’t impact on the children of the wealthy.
The motion called for the return of the EMA, eradication of higher education tuition fees and more apprenticeship places paying at least the minimum wage and leading to guaranteed employment.
NUT: what they said
• Disability hate crime Mandy Hudson, Executive, spoke of the need for education to challenge negative attitudes towards disabled people.
• Music hubs Judy Moorhouse, Past President, expressed concern that reduced funding will mean cuts in music education.
• Palestine General Secretary Christine Blower condemned the treatment of Palestinian children under Israeli military law. She called on unions to work with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Defence for Children International.
• Employment rights Jerry Glazier, Executive, accused the Government of condemning workers to an increasingly deregulated employment environment.
• Economic policy Betty Joseph, Executive, supported a motion entitled ‘Women hit hardest’, calling on Congress to promote alternatives to the Government’s cuts.
• Poverty Member Robert Wilkinson called on the Government to detail how it will hit its target of ending child poverty by 2020.
• Homophobic bullying “Create a safe environment for LGBT students and we make it safe for all,” said Annette Pryce, Executive.
• Anti-racism Supporting a Professional Footballers’ Association motion, Marilyn Bater, Executive, said teachers admire the anti-racist work of the PFA and its support for Show Racism the Red Card.
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