As the cuts begin to bite, however, it is unlikely that the Executive will be able to get away with its policy of inactivity. The situation has changed drastically from the early sixties when a gradual increase in the proportion of the national income devoted io education meant expanding jobs, promotion opportunities and better working conditions.
The situation of an expanding educarion service, which served oniv to reinforce the traditions deep within • the NUT of co-operation with the of public relations cam•ans ana conterences ces cneo to influence 'top people', are quickly • saopearing.
This was already true in the late sixties with the gradual depression of teachers! wages. For many years, ihe relative earning power of teachers had declined since education is labour intensive and 'speed-up' and productivity deals (used to reduce labour costs in industry) were not possible n the schools.
This trend eventually gave rise to ine 1969-70 strikes as it began to be recognised that advances onger be won by depending on years economic expansion but only by collective effort.
This is not to deny that 'professionalismi is still not strong among older members who still seek to prevent political content - on the grounds nal il conravenes une cims or ine It is merely to suggest that