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Original poster

What are teachers doing with their day on strike days?

137 replies

Brendabigbaps · 15/03/2023 11:40

I was reading the strike thread earlier and it struck me that I haven’t seen any of the teachers sat outside school on a picket line etc as they would have been years ago. We’ve got 3 schools locally, all closed but no sign of picket lines.

So what are they doing with their days?

OP posts:
stayingaliveisawayoflife · 15/03/2023 19:41

I was at the demo today. I was definitely not laughing at parents. Especially not the parents who are in tears trying to get help for their children from services that are so stretched there is a two year waiting list and so much valuable learning time will be lost.

I am not laughing at my Head who is trying to support upset parents whilst also trying to make the numbers work when we just don't have enough to resource classrooms let alone support trips for those parents who are struggling.

I would absolutely prefer to be in my classroom with my amazing class of individuals than be walking the streets. But as one of my class said 'I'm going to tell my children that my teacher tried to make the schools better for us and them.'

theresaratinthekitchen · 15/03/2023 19:48

I had a long lie in this morning and then went for a lovely long lunch with my DP and DS.
Tomorrow I plan to meet a friend for brunch and maybe spend the afternoon at the gym.

I am not being paid for my strike days so I get to choose how to spend my time.

Whyisitsososohard · 15/03/2023 19:50

Brendabigbaps · 15/03/2023 12:02

Someone has a bee in their bonnet! At no point did I criticise. I asked a question. Good help the kids in your class if that’s your response to a simple question

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But you were obviously critical. Say what you want but own it at least! (BTW not a teacher)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
pixienewbie · 15/03/2023 19:51

I've been applying for jobs outside of teaching. 12 years and I'm done. I'm striking in the hope they'll be some decent teachers left to teach my little ones.

theresaratinthekitchen · 15/03/2023 19:51

We didn't have a picket line at my school because the Head closed the whole school (apart from to vulnerable pupils) and I didn't join the March in London because I didn't fancy trying to get around with the tube strikes.

PeekAtYou · 15/03/2023 19:53

Our school is in a residential area and partially open and I think it would be inappropriate for there to be a picket line.

Snowontheblow · 15/03/2023 19:54

Teachers care about children a damn sight more than the government appear to.

TimeToLose8 · 15/03/2023 20:06

As the teachers will not be paid for the day, AND lose a days pension contribution - it is really none of your business what they are doing

Snowontheblow · 15/03/2023 20:28

PeekAtYou · 15/03/2023 19:53

Our school is in a residential area and partially open and I think it would be inappropriate for there to be a picket line.

Your opinion obviously, but I can't see why - the picket line is not to try to persuade children not to go in!

Elsanore · 15/03/2023 20:28

On the national demo in London.

On peaceful good natured picket lines outside partially open schools.

On local demos.

Looking after their own kids.

In the cases of many- catching up on marking backlogs and tonnes of work- which is partly why the strikes are necessary

Elsanore · 15/03/2023 20:29

I like the nice picket line outside my DC school. They are smiley and friendly and it's a good chance to let them know how much we support them when we are passing.

ohfook · 15/03/2023 20:31

MrsR87 · 15/03/2023 11:54

I’m on maternity leave at the minute so
not involved. But on the last days, I know most of my department were marking or doing admin tasks at home. They shouldn’t have been but when you’re so far behind your everyday tasks despite working through dinner breaks, in the evenings and weekends, it’s hard to pass up such an opportunity. If I was at work I would have done my alarm etc for normal time etc and worked my normal hours in the hope that doing so would afford me a work free day at the weekend.

Yes. I wouldn't say it in real life but I've essentially spent a bit of time with my kids and a bit of time working for free to shrink down my to do list.

I know that makes me an actual mug but there you go!

Madreb · 15/03/2023 20:41

I couldn't go to London due to childcare, and my school is mainly NASUWT. So today i took my laptop to a lovely coffee shop and had a lovely brunch and did loads of work. I will be picketing tomorrow.
What's odd (i don't teach maths) is despite being top of pay scale with a reasonable tlr due to tax,pension,student loan, & national insurance the days deduction from my wage wass only a £45 loss from the month before.

I was expecting a real hit in my pocket to stand up for my values. (I changed unions to strike, crossing a picket line is something i personally could never do) but i'd pay £45 once a term for the mental health/catch up day I had today. And of course all the bigger issues.

echt · 15/03/2023 20:42

Brendabigbaps · 15/03/2023 11:40

I was reading the strike thread earlier and it struck me that I haven’t seen any of the teachers sat outside school on a picket line etc as they would have been years ago. We’ve got 3 schools locally, all closed but no sign of picket lines.

So what are they doing with their days?

Sacrificing a day's pay and pension contribution.

And none of your business.

HTH.

MrsR87 · 15/03/2023 20:44

ohfook · 15/03/2023 20:31

Yes. I wouldn't say it in real life but I've essentially spent a bit of time with my kids and a bit of time working for free to shrink down my to do list.

I know that makes me an actual mug but there you go!

Show quote history

Look at it this way…you either work for free today or work for free at the weekend. I would absolutely choose a strike day if it meant I got to spend a normal weekend with my children x

MrsHamlet · 15/03/2023 21:24

Our picket line started at 7.30 and I think ended after the start of period one.

Amore2 · 15/03/2023 21:27

NASUWT so not on strike, school is open. In school, teaching and marking assessments in between lessons and after school.

FunnyCradock · 15/03/2023 21:40

Stepdaughter & her partner (primary teachers) said they were going shopping & to the cinema. Not sure if they were joking, they seemed to be genuine 🤷🏼‍♀️ The moral aspect of the strike seems to be a bit lost seeing as they aren’t marching/picketing etc but it’s their choice seeing as they aren’t being paid.

LookingOldTheseDays · 15/03/2023 22:09

FunnyCradock · 15/03/2023 21:40

Stepdaughter & her partner (primary teachers) said they were going shopping & to the cinema. Not sure if they were joking, they seemed to be genuine 🤷🏼‍♀️ The moral aspect of the strike seems to be a bit lost seeing as they aren’t marching/picketing etc but it’s their choice seeing as they aren’t being paid.

How is the moral aspect lost? They've withdrawn their labour.

noblegiraffe · 15/03/2023 22:14

People sure do think that teachers owe them their time.

LookingOldTheseDays · 15/03/2023 22:21

I think it's striking (no pun intended) how much of their time and energy people expect teachers to give for free. Apparently even when striking, they must be available, complaint and people-pleasing.

I also think this is linked to the fact that teaching is a majority female profession.

(I'm not a teacher btw)

FunnyCradock · 15/03/2023 23:10

@LookingOldTheseDays It’s not likely to be directly impacting on those that actually make the decisions over budgeting/pay/conditions (those who have children are more likely to attend independent schools) & by not making an obvious visible stand they are invisible. I imagine that withdrawing their labour for the day has very little impact on the decision makers.
I don’t actually think picketing will suddenly be the answer either btw. It’s time for a change of direction, I hope this is all remembered at the next election. All of the strikes are a pain in the ass for so many, but the ivory tower Tory govt won’t give a crap. They don’t need to rely on public transport, state schools or the NHS.
I support the strike but think it’ll achieve very little in its current form. Or maybe I’m just cynical & have no trust that there will ever be fair funding for public sector services under the Tories (having experienced 10 years of stagnant NHS pay (relative to inflation) from 2011-21).

MistressIggi · 15/03/2023 23:44

MrsR87 · 15/03/2023 20:44

Look at it this way…you either work for free today or work for free at the weekend. I would absolutely choose a strike day if it meant I got to spend a normal weekend with my children x

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or, you don't work for free on the strike day OR the weekend. Just do less. A lot of what you're doing doesn't benefit the kids anyway. I've managed 5 strike days without doing any work on any of those days. Withdrawing my labour means the whole shebang. It's quite liberating!

Cynderella · 15/03/2023 23:50

Not on strike today, but in the past, like others, it's been a welcome opportunity to catch up with marking. Same with snow days. Friends striking have been on demos and picket lines, but there is no judgement of those who don't.

Cynderella · 15/03/2023 23:53

MistressIggi · 15/03/2023 23:44

or, you don't work for free on the strike day OR the weekend. Just do less. A lot of what you're doing doesn't benefit the kids anyway. I've managed 5 strike days without doing any work on any of those days. Withdrawing my labour means the whole shebang. It's quite liberating!

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I don't know any English teachers with full timetables who avoid working evenings and/or weekends. Plenty of teachers of other subjects who would say the same. Primary too, I'm sure.