bangkok news headlines: Talks to avert teachers' strike

Monday, June 27, 2011

Talks to avert teachers' strike

Schools could shut on Thursday

Ministers and union leaders are set to hold talks in a bid to avert strike action by teachers and civil servants.

The dispute over changes to public sector pensions is likely to cause widespread disruption on Thursday.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said the strike would harm the teaching profession's reputation and encouraged parents to keep schools open.

The talks are unlikely to avert the strike action, BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins says.

He says some of those taking part in the discussions have shown little indication they are willing to compromise. One union source has described the process as a farce.

As many as 750,000 public sector workers striking over changes to public sector pensions.

Some teachers were angered by the education secretary's warning on Sunday that the profession was risking its reputation by striking.

Analysis

For all Mr Gove's tough talk and dire warnings from some union leaders of a repeat of the 1926 General Strike there's little desire on either side for a show-down.

Instead - though Thursday's strikes will go ahead - there is a clear preference to keep talking.

From the union perspective, they are acutely aware of the difficulty in sustaining any prolonged strike action at a time when many members are already struggling with pay cuts and high food and fuel costs.

On the government side, while some Tories would relish a symbolic "victory", the predominant view appears to be that ministers have more pressing issues.

Strikes are at their lowest level for a generation and ministers acknowledge the industrial landscape is different to that faced by Mrs Thatcher in the 1980s. The unions are no longer seen as a significant problem.

Both sides therefore have a strong incentive - for the time being - to keep on talking.

The walk-out in England and Wales, by members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), is expected to disrupt thousands of schools.

The Independent on Sunday has reported that Mr Gove had written to schools, to ask them to get parents to help keep schools open during the strike.

Asked whether he was suggesting that parents should go in to take lessons on Thursday, he said: "Well, parents going in to help certainly."

He said otherwise there would be "massive inconvenience" for working families - particularly single parents who would have to find childcare at short notice.

Unison, which represents court staff and immigration officers, tax officials and job centre workers, has called for a strike campaign "without precedent".

On Sunday, Business Secretary Vince Cable played down the idea that strike laws could be tightened as a final resort. He said the government was making no plans to do so and did not want to "go down that road".

Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the NUT and one of those representing teaching unions at Monday's meeting at the Cabinet Office, said the government needed to back down over changes to public sector pensions.

He said: "What we are looking for is some sign that the government is prepared to move on the three central issues - paying more, working longer and getting less."

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