The general secretaries of the ATL and NASUWT say that “our unions believe collective strength is our best weapon”. That’s not my understanding of the term.
An example of the trade union definition of collective strength is the NUT, NATFHE, PCS etc, balloting for strike action together last year. This averted the threat of having to work to 65 to get a full pension.
Collective strength is not working in partnership with the Government, as partnership led to the debacle over teaching and learning responsibility payments.
Kiri Tunks
Oaklands school
1 Shrubland Road, London E2
