News

Strikes/ Industrial action by other unions

22 April 2008

Interview given by General Secretary Philip Parkin to The Bristol Evening Post

General Secretary Philip Parkin said: "When I began my career in the 1970s, I was a representative for the National Union of Teachers, but in 1978 I left and joined the Professional Association of Teachers because I was not comfortable with the industrial action I was being asked to take.

"PAT (recently rebranded as Voice: the union for education professionals) had been formed for teachers who did not want to strike. It grew significantly in the 1970s and 80s when there were a number of incidents of industrial action.

"In those days we did negotiate directly with the Government over pay, via the Burnham committee. Now that teachers’ salaries are determined by an independent review body [School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB)], it makes even less sense to strike as it will not have any influence on that body’s decision.

"Our view is that we prefer the force of argument rather than the argument of force.

"We believe that all those involved in education and childcare should make the best interests of children and students their first priority. Voice is respected for its policy of resolving problems by negotiation, not conflict. We do not undertake industrial action because we recognise its negativity and the damage caused to the interests of those for whom our members are responsible.

"We have worked hard in recent years to increase awareness of teaching as a profession. Taking strike action diminishes the public perception of teachers as professionals, reducing their status.

"We also feel that it sends the wrong message to pupils. It sets an example of trying to achieve our demands by muscle rather than by discussion and negotiation.

"I do agree that the pay award of 2.45 per cent is disappointing. It is a concern that teachers are being offered wage increases that are not in line with inflation. Nevertheless, we must recognise that the deal is better than that made to some other public sector workers.

"While I don’t agree with teachers going on strike, we live in a democracy and I defend the NUT’s right to take action. But we should note that only 25 per cent of their membership voted to strike. This equates to one teacher in ten in classrooms across the country.

"Our union Voice, which includes nursery nurses, support staff and other members of the children’s workforce, is growing rapidly at the moment.

"Hundreds of people have joined us in recent weeks, bringing our membership up to 35,000.

"There is a climate of cooperation over education policy that did not exist in the 1970s and 80s. We are proud to be part of that."

Advice to members and policy on industrial action:

www.voicetheunion.org.uk/action