Outrage over secret deal

A TEACHER'S union leader yesterday launched an attack on the leader of a rival union who is secretly trying to organise an education action zone in a consortium with Asian bankers.

Peter Smith, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) is trying to construct a consortium with the Commission for Racial Equality, Commercial Union, the Nuffield Foundation and exam board Edexcel.

Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said: "If I had done what Peter Smith had done I would quite rightly be summarily dismissed. For ATL to be conniving at a scheme which could lead to the undermining of national pay and conditions is outragous and deplorable."