Nursery World - Unions fall out over cut workload deal

A war of words was sparked between the two main teaching unions last week over Government plans to reduce teachers' workloads by extending the role of classroom assistants. The National Union of Teachers (NUT), which refused to sign up to the workload reduction proposals in January, has threatened strike action if they are implemented, while the second biggest union, the NASUWT, has warned it will take industrial action if they are not .

The National Union of Teachers (NUT), which refused to sign up to the workload reduction proposals in January, has threatened strike action if they are implemented, while the second biggest union, the NASUWT, has warned it will take industrial action if they are not .

At the NUT's annual conference in Harrogate, West Yorkshire, general secretary Doug McAvoy attacked the way the Government was introducing its plans for classroom assistants as 'sinister' and 'totalitarian'. He accused the NASUWT of abandoning its right to free speech and promoting the Government's agenda.

'It's deeply worrying that in a democratic society a government should require free trade unions to commit themselves to its agenda,' Mr McAvoy said.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included