OVER 8,000 striking teachers and college lecturers from the NUT and UCU unions in London yesterday marched from University College Union London to the Department of Education in Westminster.
Teachers and lecturers were taking part in a one-day strike against government attacks on their pensions.
As well as hundreds of NUT and UCU banners there were banners from the PCS, London Metropolitan Unison and Unite.
The front banner said clearly: ‘Fair pensions for all’ and marchers carried placards with pictures of Cameron, Osborne and Clegg with the slogan ‘Wanted for Daily Robbery’.
A group wearing grey wigs carried placards saying: ‘Teachers of the future’ and large numbers of placards had the slogan ‘No to 68’ .
Anger at pension changes demanding teachers work until they are 68 were foremost in the responses of teachers and lecturers who spoke to News Line.
Nearly everyone called for more national action and most called for action from all the trade unions to defend pensions and take on the government.
A number of students supported the march and there was a stall for the student Alfie Meadows, whose head was split by a police truncheon on a student demonstration in 2010 and is now on trial charged with violent behaviour.
Rachel Harger from Justice for Alfie Meadows campaign said: ‘The overwhelming sentiment of all those arrested on the different demonstrations is don’t be deterred and don’t be intimidated.’
Richard McEwan, Tower Hamlets UCU Branch Secretary, said: ‘The pensions cuts are part of a raft of cuts including attacks on pay, conditions and jobs and the privatisation of the Welfare State.
‘We hope the London strike will be the first part of a renewed national campaign of strikes after Easter.
‘We’d like all other unions to come out. The immediate object is to bring out the PCS, UCU, NUT and other smaller unions as quickly as possible and hopefully that will bring the bigger unions to join in.’
Brecknock Primary School, Camden, NUT Rep, Olly Fayers, told News Line: ‘Our school is closed today, nearly all of the teachers are out. The main issue is we don’t feel we can work until we are 68. The job is too physically demanding. It’s not right for children or teachers.
‘The government know this. They know that teachers will have to retire early, and for every year a teacher retires early they lose 5% of their pension. At present teachers can generally get to the retirement age and keep their full pension.
‘Teaching is such a demanding job you need a decent retirement to look forward to. Everyone disagrees with the proposals. Teachers feel they are undervalued and want more action of some kind. I personally would like to see further national strike action.’
Katherine O’Sullivan, NUT Rep from Mount Carmel School, Islington, said: ‘NUT members are disappointed that today is not a national action, but we are committed to the regional programme, we know that NUT members throughout the country are ready to come out on their days and wanted to come out to start it off in London.’
