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Original poster

Should I tell my children's school that I support the strike action?

36 replies

bluesky45 · 27/01/2023 18:46

My DC school has just let us know about strike action. We have been waiting for a while. My eldest class is closed, absolutely fine, I will keep him home. But should I send a message saying that I support them. Basically saying "don't feel bad" but without saying that? And how should I word it? I'm a teacher myself but not striking as I work on supply. I just won't be working that day.

OP posts:
goldenbag · 27/01/2023 19:04

No

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 27/01/2023 19:04

I would probably just say “well done for striking” at drop off the next day or day before.

AndTonightMichael · 27/01/2023 19:05

No Confused

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CucumberCool · 27/01/2023 19:07

I'm thinking about baking some cakes to take to the picket line. Solidarity to all those striking!

padsi1975 · 27/01/2023 19:08

I did because I do support them and wanted them to know that.

Itstarts · 27/01/2023 19:10

CucumberCool · 27/01/2023 19:07

I'm thinking about baking some cakes to take to the picket line. Solidarity to all those striking!

What picket line though? The teachers aren’t going to be standing outside the school gates with signs (maybe if it's a big secondary but not your average primary).

Unless you're planning on going up to Whitehall/Downing street/where ever the main gathering will be?

CucumberCool · 27/01/2023 20:02

@Itstarts oh will they not? That's a shame... Do you know why they won't be? I thought it was what you did when you were striking?

DappledThings · 27/01/2023 20:18

To those saying no can I ask why not? We got a message from the head of DC's primary today saying school will be open but some staff striking and saying it isn't just about pay and that all the teachers at our school work very hard all the time. I was thinking of replying to that just to show support and say I agree they do and that I'm totally supportive of the action.

Would that not be a nice thing to do?

Itstarts · 27/01/2023 20:18

The dr/nurse/paramedic strikes, yes because hospitals have hundreds of workers and are quite often located quite centrally.

2 teachers outside a little school on a cul de sac just doesn't have the same effect.

tinytemper66 · 27/01/2023 20:21

CucumberCool · 27/01/2023 19:07

I'm thinking about baking some cakes to take to the picket line. Solidarity to all those striking!

I won't be picketing 🪧 but am going to a rally in the nearest city to me. No picket line at my school.

JuneOsborne · 27/01/2023 20:21

I don't know about that, @Itstarts we have three very local primary schools and they're all planning a picket line. My local news also said tonight that there are a number of both primary and secondary schools in the area expected to have picket lines.

CaptainMyCaptain · 27/01/2023 20:23

I'm sure they would appreciate knowing you support them. I don't know why people are saying no.

CucumberCool · 27/01/2023 20:25

@Itstarts I see what you're saying but that is exactly why I will go up with my cake and make an effort to show they are seen and have my support.

My local ambulance trust were striking the other week and it consisted of 6 people in the carpark in an area like an industrial estate... They still stood outside their whole shift with placards! And good on them too!
Granted it wasn't the same atmosphere as the local hospital Trust which is located on a main road an had around 200 people attend but it's still what you do.

PeekAtYou · 27/01/2023 20:25

My son's secondary is open to some year groups so I wonder if there will be a picket line when he goes in ?

My dd is at uni and there were picket lines at the last strike but not sure how much space there might be between staff and kids entering the school and the picket line. 🤔

Rosalindisafuckingnightmare · 27/01/2023 20:32

I think it’s fine and nice to say you support them! My DS is on a monitoring programme where we text in info to the nurses twice a week and on strike day I texted in his info and said I expected they weren’t in today and wished them well and hoped that they weren’t too cold on the picket lines.

Rosalindisafuckingnightmare · 27/01/2023 20:32

Our posties were outside the sorting office with signs etc.

Pinkflipflop85 · 27/01/2023 20:32

I've had parents come to me and tell me personally that they support my decision to strike.

They didn't need to do that but I did really appreciate it.

DuckonaBike · 27/01/2023 20:40

I think it would be good to tell them you support them.

MrsLJ2014 · 27/01/2023 20:44

I'm a teacher (who will be striking) and am planning to email my son's school to say thank you and well done to the striking teachers. Might even say it face to face to his teacher too if I get chance.

user1471453601 · 27/01/2023 20:47

I'm an unfortunate regular at my surgery (once a week from April to the end of december). I said, individually to the two nurses who I saw most regularly, that which ever way they voted, I was behind their strike 100%. They both thanked me (it was so little that I did) and said that it was helpful to know patients understood.

So, yes I would tell the teachers they have my support. They deserve to know that they are not alone.

LadyRoughDiamond · 27/01/2023 21:17

CucumberCool · 27/01/2023 19:07

I'm thinking about baking some cakes to take to the picket line. Solidarity to all those striking!

That’s a lovely idea, thank you!
Some schools may have a picket line outside (there’s nothing forbidding it), but I believe most teachers will be attending a rally in their nearest town, as the argument is with the government and not individual schools.

evemillbank · 27/01/2023 21:28

I wouldn't because how do you know if they are striking or not?

Sleepybumble · 27/01/2023 21:37

I emailed dds school to say I support the teachers if they choose to strike. I imagine those who don't agree will also email, so I thought it would be nice to remind them that they also have support.

Ginger1982 · 27/01/2023 21:40

I'm in Scotland and pretty much all our schools have had picket lines during the strikes so far.

MargaretThursday · 27/01/2023 21:41

Ds was thoroughly supporting them until he found that his year (11) is meant to be in. He's wondering if he'd be allowed to join the picket line...