NUT: After April 24 action NUT leaders dither - PR9

Whilst 24 April was an inspiring starting point, a strike that successfully demonstrated the anger of NUT members, much more action will be needed if the government’s attacks are to be defeated and the pay freeze smashed.

The NUT should have built on the momentum created by 24 April and balloted members for further and extended strike action this term. But such an approach has been rejected by the NUT Executive. At its meeting on 22 May the Executive ruled out a ballot for this term, promising instead to ballot members in the autumn.

This means that strike action could not take place before October – six months after the original strike! It also means that the Executive is squandering the opportunity for NUT members to take strike action alongside Unison in July. So much for its concern for public sector unity! It will be up to rank and file NUT members to show real unity and practical solidarity with Unison strikers by refusing to cross their picket lines.

The Executive’s lack of resolve will not surprise NUT militants: there have been many occasions when the leadership of the union has retreated in the face of government attacks, refusing to organise the action that is necessary. Indeed, it took the Executive a year to implement conference policy and organise April’s strike. Even then they decided that the ballot would only be for one day of strike action, rather than a ballot which would have allowed for further strike days or other forms of action. Yet all this is at a time when supposedly the left in the union has finally gained a majority on the Executive. NUT militants must hold to account those “lefts” who voted against action.

NUT members cannot rely on the Executive or the official apparatus of the union to achieve a victory. Rank and file control is crucial if we are to win. We need to organise strike committees in all workplaces and establish local and regional action committees to maximise the impact of strike action and to maintain constant pressure on the Executive to sanction action.

Such committees would have the potential to organise action independent of the union leadership if it fails to act. They would also seek to build links with other public sector unions with the aim of initiating further joint action.

Sat 04, October 2008 @ 12:54