ATL union backs united strikes - ballot to start in May

Delegates to the ATL teaching union’s conference have backed coordinated strikes to defend pensions.

They passed an urgency motion on Tuesday morning noting that “reasoned argument has produced no movement from the government”.

The motion welcomed the idea of coordinating action between different unions.

It instructs the union’s national executive committee to consider whether a strike ballot should begin.

The executive will now draw up a timetable for action.

Delegates also passed motions against academy schools and the hated Sats tests. The conference was continuing as Socialist Worker went to press.