the same amount as the government will claw back in changes to pensions, also announced in the Autumn Statement, including a reduction in the maximum annual pension contribution from £50,000 to £40,000 and a lowering of the lifetime allowance from £1.5m to £1.25m."the school board.

Instead of mobilizing this widespread support behind the teachers, the union sought at every point to prevent a strike. Above all, the PAT and its parent organization, the National Education Association (NEA) were determined to prevent a political confrontation with the Democratic Party, which controls the state and local government, and the Obama administration, which is spearheading the dismantling of public education. The PAT and NEA enjoy the closest ties with the Democratic Party and have been partners in its anti-teacher “school reform” agenda.

Over the last five months, PPS had proceeded on a forced march toward a confrontation with the teachers—invoking mediation and then impasse as soon as each step was legally allowed. The district began making preparations to break a strike last fall. After the