THE NUT leadership's strategy for the teacher's pay claim has been limited strike action to win arbitration. The Socialist Teachers says this strategy is disastrous.
NUT It is incapable of winning our claim. We need around per to restore our real wages of 1975. The main task is to mobilise the maximum teacher action to win the claim, not rely on arbitration.
But is that all we need to say about arbitration? The Lambeth comrades (SA 62, 15 June) say yes.
The problem with that is that we may understand the role of arbitration as a 'mechanism of class colADO OI vuL le a jority of teachers don't.
that arICLICHUCT bitration got us the biggest OXe E HOR HSIO and they think the NUT leadership's strategy makes good sense - even if they H-uL ureC mUre action to back it up.
Oniy escalating the ac. tion can win, not arbitration. But it you still believe the leadership right, that arbitration can deliver the goods, then test them. Demand they only consider arbitration when management has incredse d made substantially starting offer.
Demand that, and the leadership will say no. Why! Because they are bluffing. In practice, they will accept anything from arbitration. So now can see willy Ine o1d såys don't bank on arbitration, rely on your own strength.
The STA believes placing demenis tion in this present situaLOIS INCRCECOE helping to break the confidence In arbitration that the majority of teachers have.