So we will hear today if my union is going on strike and of course the media is already full of anti teacher comments about all the holidays we get and the lack of work we do. Putting that to one side can I just say that yes I will be going on strike. Our pay increase as small as it was had to be funded out of existing school budgets that were set last year. School budgets that are absolutely at breaking point. Schools can’t afford to buy in services that children desperately need to be able to be happy and learn. Who do think steps in when we run out of pencils and glue sticks? It really isn't a gimmicky statement but the truth.
Yes children absolutely had a bad time through Covid, I was there with them. Yes they are still suffering now, I am with them. Their education is suffering every day thanks to the lack of funding to keep schools safe and to provide them with what they need. I will be going on strike and giving up a days pay in the hope that it makes the government think again about how the education of our future generations must be funded.
If the result doesn’t happen it is not because we do not care about funding or our pay. Some will not be able to afford to strike, some will be scared about the impact on their job, some will be scared because of the backlash from parents and the public.
It really is a no win situation except for those who make the decisions in government and seem to be doing ok financially. Anyway enough from me. Please share if you want to or just talk to your child’s class teacher and be positive with them. We are all human beings just trying to do a tough but amazing job.