TEACHERS’ STRIKE

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32222, 14 February 1970, Page 11

TEACHERS’ STRIKE

Firm Stand In Britain (N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 12. The National Union of Teachers, in its toughest mood, has announced a strike plan to paralyse education in two key centres of Britain in support of its members’ payrise claim. The strike, by over 7000 teachers, will begin in the next two weeks and will force the closing of all schools in Birmingham and most schools in two London districts. The union says that the strikes are “open-ended” and could last three months or more. Their effect will be to paralyse the State system of education in three critical areas. Hitting the national economy appears to be the only remaining weapon the N.U.T. can use in its battle with Government and local education authorities over its interim pay claim of £135 a year for all teachers. The N.U.T., which has abandoned the tactic of recommending short - term strikes—which have hit education hard in England and Wales since the dispute began three months ago—and says that the new, tougher action will be extended to other areas if the claim is not met.