The Rank and File group of the National Union of Teachers, dominated by the International Socialists, will be holding its annua conrerence u sirminonam tais weekend (28/29 June). It will be haunted by the spectre of a dwindling membership and rising debts, as well as by the memory of its own confusion and isoJauon ae une caster conrerence or the NUT. But no political answers will be provided.
Instead of attempting to retrieve its position by confronting the sectoral and populist demagogy of the NUT executive Rank and File will be lowering still further its own politics to appeal to 'the classroom teacher rather than the 'socialist teacher. All this comes at a time when teachers lace unprecedented attacks not simoy on tneu own tvne sancares out on those of the entire working class as a result of the education cuts.
has pushed for policies which isolate teachers. At the NUT Conference, while the IMG campaigned for a motion adopting the Working Women's Charter and linking women teachers with the overall class struggle for women's rights, IS came up with a motion which eliminated all mention of abortion and contraception and rephrased other sections of the Charter to deal exclusivery witn teacners While IS pursue a dead-end 'teachers alone strategy, the IMG will be fighting for a united front of the left inside the NUT and a class-wide struggle against ALTERNATIVE Despite manoeuvres by the IS to exclude all but its own membership and close periphery from the Rank and File Conference, IMG will be there. There Is no chance that R&F will change its policy to meet the need of teachers and the whole working class at the present time. But we will be fighting for an altcunduve poncy. anacuon Dan basea or inter-union action against the cuts, the Social Contract and every issue confronting the mass of teachers at the present time time. And it is to continue this tight that the IMG will also be sponsoring the Open Conference of Socialist Teachers on Saturday 12 July. TEACHERS Saturday 12 July, 11am - 6pm Discussion around the central issues Social Contract, equality of women, teachers and the labour movement:
Agnes Close, London E.9. Supported by: Teachers in Radical Education; International Marxist Group; Worker:
vianchester hank and rie OPEN CONFERENCE OF SOCIALIST facing teachers: salaries, education cuts, Tickets 50p from Bernard Regan, 24 St.
Fight; Anarchist Workers Association;