Teachers potentially striking again

[CitrusSparklePinkClouds]

Teachers want a pay rise above the rate of inflation this time.

1. Yes, don't we all?!
2. Haven't kids missed enough school?

And you know that because you worked in schools or just had children that attended one? It’s not a matter of constantly reminding people how hard teachers worked during the pandemic- many many people did and many people experienced hardship and trauma, including teachers. The point of this thread I thought was to debate the fact that teachers are voting to strike? Covid is one of the reasons that I am considering it alongside dire budget cuts to both schools and public services which are putting schools and parents in a terrible position, unsustainable workload and no payrise for over 10 years all compounded by staff cuts and larger class sizes.

Again?

Correct me if I am wrong - Last time I remember was on the day of my c section for dd (so it’s cemented in my brain as older dc spent the day with a friend instead of school). She’s 9 next march.

Thats hardly often.

They should strike.

Morph22010

Those complaining about the first lockdown should try to remember the shit that teachers were left to deal with.

But I suspect that most of those complaining will still be complaining long after the rest have moved on, they will forget the circumstances surrounding it but will be happy to use it as a bat to beat teachers with.

But hey its a handy method to distract others from the shit state of funding and recruitment and retention of teachers in schools.

Of course teachers should strike. Everyone who has been sucked dry by this self serving Tory government should strike. Nothing changes if they don't feel the consequences of their choices - and time and time again they have chosen to shaft the country and enrich themselves. I support the strike.

You do realise teachers strike because they want to improve education i.e. make things better for your children? Why would you oppose improving your child's education?

Exactly.
I've voted to strike (teaching assistant) not because I'm unhappy with the almost 5% being offered to TAs ( I would accept the amount), but because I'm unhappy with the prospect of it being taken out of the existing school budget. That will have a negative impact for pupils.

If you strike you do not get paid, right? If you do not get paid and are on UC top-up but choose not to break the picket line, do you get sanctioned?
If you are part of a union but do not agree to strike, do you compromise your membership?
Thanks in advance x

If you strike you don't get paid, that's right. I'm not sure about the UC part of your question, sorry.

If you are in a union and vote not to strike, you do not compromise your membership. It is your right to vote not to strike. However, it may be better to vote to strike at the moment because that doesn't commit you to actually striking but it is sending a message to the government. You can "change your mind" later and decline to strike if it actually comes to that. Hopefully the government will improve their offer if the unions can show that enough people are theoretically prepared to strike.
Where I work, most TAs I speak to are voting to strike even if they wouldn't in reality go on strike because they can't afford to lose the pay.

I’m afraid I don’t know about UC. Your union can’t force you to strike or revoke your membership if you cross the picket. I would ask them about the UC question. They have hardship funds if striking is likely to cause you significant financial difficulty.

Both of the choices seem very straw man. I'll add 3. 'You couldn't pay me to be a teacher, thanks'. I was in admin years ago at a school and bloody hell. No way. Office jobs aren't comparable. NHS and teachers deserve bankers salaries and the banker's should get the reverse if you ask me.

All but 3 members of our school staff worked full time in school, throughout covid lockdowns.

The 3 who didn't worked from home due to their own health conditions.

I wfh during the lockdowns and have never done so many hours, before or since.

Schools were open throughout the lockdowns. Some schools had large numbers of children in. Many schools were providing a lot of home learning in various forms for their pupils, as well as proving a lot of support for the more vulnerable pupils in their catchments.

Please let's not go down the route of claiming schools just shut up shop for the duration. I thought we'd come out the other side of that nonsense.