McAvoy beats hard left in NUT ballot
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MEMBERS of the biggest teachers' union re-elected their general secretary, Doug McAvoy, yesterday, as he defeated a challenge from the hard left.
Mr McAvoy beat Christine Blower, a national executive member of the National Union of Teachers, by a majority of more than 17,000 votes on a 29.8 per cent turnout.
Ms Blower had said that more industrial action was likely in classrooms if she won the contest.
Mr McAvoy said: "It is a great honour to be general secretary for a third successive term. Members have demonstrated their support for the union as a campaigning but not a militant organisation - an organisation which speaks for the whole profession and not for a political faction."
Earlier this year, he warned members that Ms Blower had "a political and revolutionary platform that she and those who control her seek to impose on members".
Last week, he said in an advertisement that she was supported by extreme left-wing groups such as Militant, the Socialist Teachers' Alliance and the Socialist Workers' Party.
Ms Blower said that she was not controlled by any group and was not a member of a political party.
In 1994, Mr McAvoy defeated another left-wing challenger, Mary Hufford, by a majority of only 1,500 on a turn-out of 38.9 per cent.
This year, he received 39,245 votes compared with his opponent's 22,183.
Ms Blower said she was disappointed by the low turn-out. "I think I fought a positive campaign," she said. "I regret that Doug McAvoy's style of campaign was negative."
She believed that this may have raised doubts in many members' minds about the point of voting.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments