Massive turnout at public-sector pay protests in Britain (Roundup)

Apr 24, 2008, 16:47 GMT

London - The first national strike called by teachers in Britain since the 1980s snowballed into a serious challenge for the government Thursday as employees from other public sectors turned out to back their demand for above-inflation pay rises.

Estimates said that up to 400,000 teachers, lecturers, coastguards and civil servants working in government departments joined rallies and marches across Britain to protest against government-imposed restraint on public-sector pay.

Trade union officials estimated that the turnout was the highest seen in Britain over the last 10 years.

The main teaching union, the NUT, accused the government of Gordon Brown of having 'underestimated the strength of feeling' over three years of below-inflation pay rises.

The sentiments were echoed by other unions, including the Public and Commercial Services' Union (PCS), which said that 100,000 civil servants had caused 'widespread disruption' across government departments Thursday.

'The breadth and depth of the support for today's action has been fantastic,' PCS leader Mark Serwotka said.

Meanwhile, the leader of Britain's Trade Unions' Congress (TUC), Brendan Barber, told a rally in London that giving public-sector workers below-inflation pay rises was 'no longer good enough' for a Labour government.

'We need a fundamental change of direction. If the government continues to use the public sector like as political football, I am convinced they will pay a devastating price at the general election,' Barber said.

As up to 8,000 schools in England and Wales remained shut, or partly closed, by the teachers' action Thursday, Prime Minister Brown said the strikes were 'regrettable and unjustified.'

Schools Secretary Ed Balls, who made a point of visiting a functioning primary school in Kent, southern Britain, said he was 'annoyed and disappointed' by the teachers' strike.

But he insisted that 'only a minority of schools' were affected by closures and disruptions.

NUT estimates said more than 2.5 million pupils would have stayed at home.

'There isn't a justification for the strike. Over the last 10 years teachers' pay has risen substantially,' Balls said.

However, judging by the angry mood among the mostly young participants in rallies in London, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, and many other cities, it looked as if the government could have a serious problem on its hands.

Leaders of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) warned that they were ready for a 'long-term campaign' to achieve recognition for their work.

Christine Blower, the acting general secretary of the NUT, said in a BBC interview Thursday that it was 'not in her gift' to rule out further protests.

'The government has underestimated the strength of feeling of teachers. For three years we have had below-inflation pay deals and have been offered the same for the next three,' said Elaine Kay, regional NUT secretary in Newcastle, northern England.

'It's time to say, 'enough is enough,'' NUT representative David Room said.

The Labour government, which has made education-spending one of its main priorities, has offered teachers a 2.45-per-cent pay rise, against demands of an increase of 4.1 per cent.

Teachers, who earn between 20,000 and 34,000 pounds (40,000 to 68,000 dollars) a year, say that inflation, as well as rising costs for accommodation, food and transport, make it impossible for them to manage on their wage.

Lucy Beckford, a 25-year-old primary school teacher, told reporters she 'loved her job' but could not live on the salary she earned.

'After I pay my mortgage and the bills, I just have a couple of hundred pounds a month to pay for petrol and food. I believe everybody has the right to equal opportunities and the right to a decent, free education,' she said.

'We are professionals and we should be treated as such,' said Dawn Whittaker, a teacher with 35 years' experience.

She said the job had become increasingly demanding, with paperwork and 'stress' adding to teachers' frustrations.