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Press Release

Strike action in Tower Hamlets

25 March 2011

NUT members in Tower Hamlets have voted overwhelmingly in support of strike action in opposition to cuts in jobs and services in education.

Across Tower Hamlets 85% voted for a one day strike with 73% in favour of further action on a turnout of 39%.

The NUT is now planning for a one day strike on Wednesday March 30th.

NUT members were balloted as part of the response to proposals that will see nearly 200 Children's Services posts disappear in Tower Hamlets.

The NUT is concerned that these cuts will see reductions in the number of teachers employed in Children's Centres as well as cuts to provision for children with Special Educational Needs.

Other cuts will see the dismantling of specialist curriculum support, training and professional development for teachers.

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers said :

“Cost cutting exercises such as those being implemented in Tower Hamlets will see the most vulnerable children being deprived of the services they need and their teachers of the support they require. While industrial action is always a last resort the NUT cannot stand by and watch vital education services axed.

Alex Kenny, Secretary of East London NUT, said,

“This is a very strong vote for strike action, through which NUT members have shown their opposition to the planned cuts. We hope, through our action, to bring about a change in thinking and reverse some of these cuts. Much of the success of education in Tower Hamlets has been built on the fact that we have a strong Local Authority which delivers high quality support to teachers, children and schools. We are not talking about backroom bureaucracy, as David Cameron would have us believe, but essential services that enhance the expertise of teachers and so improve the education of children. If we lose these services, education in Tower Hamlets schools will be diminished.”

On the day of the planned strike the NUT will be organising a march and rally which it is hoped will be supported by parents and the wider community.



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National Union of Teachers

National Union of Teachers

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