Teachers strike on thursday

[florida sun]

My daughters college went on strike last Thursday, not sure why it was a different day, her and her friend still went in as she is in the middle of her A Levels and needed her Art work which was there. There were no tutors in, but the admin staff were there to allow any pupil who wished to go in to do so.

 

[CHEK]

Well mine are both at school on Thursday

 

[Cyrano]

Appears to be an issue with England as I'm not aware of Scottish teachers striking.
I don't know what the strike is about but I think it is important that all members stick together as I'm sure if a teacher had a problem with their employer they would expect their union to support them.
My fathers TUC genes run high; even though I'm not in a union, as I would not cross a genuine picket line

 

[The Fetherstons]

We still dont know about DS school as some teachers are in and some arnt, apparently it is looking likely he will be off but will find out for definite tomorrow

 

[tennisfan]

I'm an NUT member but I have chosen not to strike. It is a national strike but the Union asks members to join rather than force them. I teach part time at a village primary school with 17 children. The 8 children that I teach only have me on Thursdays and Friday mornings so if I went on strike then they would miss a whole week of the work that we do together. I didn't think it fair to them so I decided not to strike. Also my colleague isn't a NUT member so if I went on strike then she would be in school on her own with her class of 9. It just didn't seem right.

Other NUT members please don't flame me

I don't flame you. My sister is a member of the NUT & Union leader for her school but voted not to strike however she has too as the head has closed the school. Also many of the staff didn't receive the voting forms in time.

I do get the impression this hasn't been thought out much.

Appears to be an issue with England as I'm not aware of Scottish teachers striking.
I don't know what the strike is about but I think it is important that all members stick together as I'm sure if a teacher had a problem with their employer they would expect their union to support them.
My fathers TUC genes run high; even though I'm not in a union, as I would not cross a genuine picket line

If I recall correctly it is over the pay rise they have been offered.

 

[wideeyes]

My DD has the day off as the school is closed however my sister in year 13 has to go in as she said because her teachers are senior teachers they are in a different union.

 

[Cyrano]

If I recall correctly it is over the pay rise they have been offered.

Thank you

 

[jen_uk]

Someone informed me yesterday that they thought it was disgusting that teachers were striking as our starting wage is 25K to which I said

 

[tennisfan]

Someone informed me yesterday that they thought it was disgusting that teachers were striking as our starting wage is 25K to which I said

My sisters has only recently gone over that & she has been teaching since 2000

I think the only ones who start near that mark are secondary school teachers who have trained in subject where there are so few such as Science/Maths

 

[jen_uk]

I teach one of the subjects they are desperate for teachers in and my salary isn't any higher but there is a one off bonus available.

 

[The Fetherstons]

Just found out DS is off 2moro, but not all of the school is off there are some teachers who will be in working

 

[PoppyAnna]

My DH has worked in banks for many years. He earns enough for me to stay at home but his hourly rate has gone DOWN in recent months, as we all know this country is heading for uncertain financial times.
DH has to meet performance targets to get salary increases and bonuses, he gets no sick pay, no pension contributions and no holiday pay and he has to stay well trained, all of which we have to pay for - just like those that become teachers it is his choice to earn his living and support our family in this way.
I'm not saying teachers should be taken advantage of, in my limited recent experience of my DD's school I am very happy with their commitment and teaching, I just think it's a difficult time in which to ask for more money and strike.

I'm sorry but I'm a little upset as I have now read on the NUT website that planned school trips SHOULD go ahead. My DD was meant to be going on a school trip tomorrow which I was helping with too - this has now been cancelled.

 

[CustardTart]

My DH has worked in banks for many years. He earns enough for me to stay at home but his hourly rate has gone DOWN in months, as we all know this country is heading for encertain financial times.
DH has to meet performance targets to get salary increases and bonuses, he gets no sick pay, no pension contributions and no holiday pay and he has to stay well trained, all of which we have to pay for...... I just think it's a difficult time in which to ask for more money and strike.

I'm sorry but I'm a little upset as I have now read on the NUT website that planned school trips SHOULD go ahead. My DD was meant to be going on a school trip tomorrow which I was helping with to - this has now been cancelled.

My DH's bank is firing people left, right and centre at the moment - it's currently a tough (and scary) time for everyone...

So sorry to hear that your DD will miss her trip, Joanne...

 

[wayneg]

I totally agree with Joanne, I think the timing is wrong for this action, DW is a Nursery Officer for Leeds social services, pay has nowhere near kept up with the times, I am business owner earning approx 30% LESS than it was 3 years ago. Everyone(most people) is in the same boat just now under a Government full of problems with no answers. Not saying teachers don't sesevre more, I would not do their job for anything but I think its bad timing to get people support.

 

[jen_uk]

When is it ever a good time tho, things just seem to be getting worse and worse now.

 

[wayneg]

When is it ever a good time tho, things just seem to be getting worse and worse now.

No idea, but for a strike to suceed there needs to be strong support from teachers, public and media. Don't think this action has it. Not easy at all.
DW gave up with union years ago, they were pulling the workers out on strike regular for numerous things which were a waste of time. No way could they ever recoup lost wages on the tiny increases gained by unions.
I don't buy papers anymore to guage feeling but around here there is hardly any support.
Don't really like politics but the country is in a bit of a mess, Ive seen it coming for just over 3 years now, after 15 years of year on year increases it started changing 3 years ago for me and many businesses in our area, no-one else seemed to see it coming or they didn't want us to know.

 

[wils]

About 1/3 of the classes in DD's school are off (including hers)

Just hoping for nice weather so we can get out in the garden

 

[Mrs Hobbes]

As I said in a previous post I am not striking tomorrow and our school is open. However I have a feeling that with the local middle school and high school being closed that half my class (only 8 children in my class btw!) will be missing. There will be a few parents that will let their younger children stay at home with their older siblings and then there will be the parents that will just assume that we're closed like everyone else.

For all of you that are at home with your children for the day I'll keep my fingers crossed for sunshine. DH was going to cut the grass after work tonight but it started raining as soon as he arrived home - so I'm hoping for some sunshine tomorrow.

 

[scojos]

who said teachers had a starting salary of £25, 000 cause i am going to work for that LEA
teachers salaries are easily visible on the TES website, i think you ll find its way below that.
yes we get 13 weeks "holiday" a year, generally spent marking planning and assessing, evenings are spent doing the same (or on the dis ) it is not a job, its a vocation, as a just finished being an NQT teacher, the hoops you have to jump through are amazing.
i have worked in industry too, salaries are much higher, and when you go home you finish for the day.
stress as a teacher is unbelievable.
child protection has gone through the roof.
i love my job, but alot of older teachers see stress and pressure as reasons to leave the proffesion.
we used to have a very respected job, that is not the case now.
i am not striking, my school is open, but i support the people who stand up for their right to protest, and this is often the only way for teachers to be heard.
just my opinion.