to not want to go on strike?

[CRS]

This is about teacher's pensions. If the NUT ballot goes that way, there will be a strike in June. I agree that what the government is proposing is shocking, and that this is a serious issue. But I don't want to go on strike for various reasons, some ideological, and some (admittedly short term thinking, but for my family of great practical importance at the mo) financial.

One of my colleagues is quite militant in general, and a union rep, and is not very happy about my stance. I think there are three of us who don't want to strike for various reasons.

Would I be wrong to not strike if the majority decide they do want to?

[wook]

Yes, obviously. That's the concept of a union- the clue is in the name.
Vote no in the ballot if you don't agree- or join a different union- the PAT don't strike (if they are still going).

[CRS]

But if I vote no in the ballot and it still is a yes vote, do I still have to (morally speaking, I know I don't HAVE to) strike?

[noblegiraffe]

You are free to leave the union if you don't want to strike.

[diabolo]

CRS - you don't have to strike, but you might have to deal with some unpleasantness if you don't.

[CRS]

Sigh. I thought I probably was being. Back to the NASUWT, I suppose!

[noblegiraffe]

The NASUWT will probably be striking too - they did a survey of members and asked if there was a ballot for strike action would people vote yes? They say that most people said yes.

But they also said that they thought it was better to wait till negotiations with the government have been exhausted before balloting for strike action.

I'm expecting the government not to back down so the NAS will probably be balloting later in the year.

[lecce]

Yes, you cannot join a union and then pick and choose which causes to support them on. This is how it works, they hold a ballot and then go with the majority decision.

I know you haven't fully explained your reasons and I should not try to second guess you, but I do find it quite hard to imagine what ideological issues you could have with the strike, given that you say you do disagree with the government's proposals. The exams will be over by the time of the strike, which would be the only issue that would make me think twice about striking.

As for the financial aspect, you are right, you are being extremely short-sighted. I am the only bread-winner in my family and I am seriously worried about how we will cope if my monthly pension contributions increase by the amount proposed next year. A day's pay for the strike pales into insignificance by comparison. Have you been on the NUT pensions calculator - very scary stuff.

[CRS]

Well, if everyone thinks a strike is the way forward, I would probably change my mind, I guess. But I am probably more suited to NAS anyway, I think.

By the way, I do of course agree that what is being proposed is wrong, I'm just not sure a strike is the best answer. But I may be wrong - I don't have any experience of successful (or any - my school didn't strike last time it came up) strike action.

[EvilTwins]

The NASUWT have sent a mailshot out recently saying that they don't believe now is the right time to strike, so they won't be doing so any time soon.

Not to say they won't in the future though...

[NorfolkNChance]

Join Voice (formally PAT)

NASUWT are delaying for now but the overall result from the questionaire we filled in was pro strike action.

[CRS]

I know the financial aspect is short sighted, I know! But due to personal circumstances/events, despite having two wage earners in this house, we are brassic to such an extent that to strike (two teachers) would have a serious impact on us (and yes, you can have two well paid professionals in a house and still be in dire financial trouble, which some people in RL seem incapable of grasping, but that's a whole different story!)

[Pandemoniaa]

There's nothing worse than a scab. So please, join another union. You'll can then leave everyone else to fight the cause while you, ultimately, benefit from their efforts.

[CRS]

I thought I was probably being unreasonable though! I'm not sure about a strike for quite a few reasons.

[lecce]

Unions do have funds for those in hardship or something - could you approach your rep or give them a ring?

I do sympathise but surely it will be a total nightmare for the 2 of you next year when both your monthly contributions rocket up?

[CRS]

Pandemoniaa - I am happy to support the cause - I went and marched not so long ago, but I just personally am not sure a strike is the right way forward. I could well be wrong.

[lecce]

What do you propose if not a strike?

[funnybumblebee]

I switched from NUT to NASUWT last time to avoid striking. I imagine I will have to go with it this time. I can't afford the hike in pension payments or the loss of a day's pay.

[diabolo]

Pandemoniaa - that's not nice.

And I doubt very much that anyone is going to be benefit from striking. Children (once again) will lose out - that's it!

[Takeresponsibility]

CRS

The opinion of the others is exactly that - opinion. You do not have to strike if you don't want to. For me the whole point of the union is so the collective force has greater impact than one person standing alone. It is also to protect the lone voices from being singled out and picked off one by one by the employer. It is therefore fundamentally against the whole principle of unionism for the union to pick on individual members who are not in a position (whether idealogically or financially) to go on strike at a particular time or over an individual issue.

That said, if you wish never to strike, but wish to take any rewards that others have fought for then you do need to question your ethical position of being in the union.

[CRS]

OK - I am inexperienced in the area of strike action, so these are my thoughts: I am more than happy to be put straight, honestly.

1. Will a strike achieve anything?
   
2. Will a strike be fair to the kids if it turns out to be much more than a one day thing?
   
3. Given that many of the wider public think that we work 9 - 3.30 and have weeks of holiday and are paid millions incredibly well, will a strike engender bad feeling rather than support?
   
4. Why aren't ALL the Unions so keen?

[lecce]

diabolo Children will most certainly lose out if the current government continue as they are and push ahead with the mad proposals they have for education.

[ilovesooty]

It might not be nice - but neither are people who don't join a strike for which the members of their union have voted.

[diabolo]

1. No
   
2. No
   
3. Yes.
   
4. Because I think they know that the proportion of pension which teachers thought they were getting is unsustainable and a great deal more than almost anyone (except perhaps Fred Goodwin) will get in relation to their earnings and private sector pensions.

[Pandemoniaa]

I'm sorry to have sounded harsh but I spent too much time as a union convenor trying to explain why there's just no alternative to industrial action sometimes. Nobody wants to see services denied to users or educations ruined but sometimes you have to stand up and be counted. Right now public services are under the most enormous threat and if this this coalition of unelected cunts opportunists get their way, there won't be anything left to fight for - let alone strike for.

[lecce]

1. Possibly, if it is well-supported enough. There have been plenty of successful strikes in the past, though I don't have time to look any up.
   

1. Maybe not, but will it be fair to kids when their teachers are 68 year olds who are exhausted, off sick half the time etc etc. I don't know if OP is a parent but I am and, much as I care about the children I teach, I care about my own more. The loss in my monthly income next year will affect them and if I have to teach until I'm 68 I can forget any idea of retiring and enjoying any gc I may have, as I'll probably drop dead by 70 (only half-joking here).
   

1. Probably .
   

1. I ask myself this a lot, especially as everyone I have spoken to feels as I do, a lot of my friends are seriously hacked off with NAS...