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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to go on strike?

82 replies

CRS · 24/05/2011 19:28

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
CRS · 24/05/2011 20:39

As an aside - my partner is not part of a union but DOES want to strike! Can you strike without being a union member? If not he wants to join the NUT! (Diverse views in our house!) but point three, as I thought, does seem to be the sticking thing, esp in terms of meditrina's post.

Thank you for your views - I am thinking seriously about this.

OP posts:
NorfolkNChance · 24/05/2011 20:39

I'm in the same phase as you but it's not all that lucky, it will still happen and falling roll numbers are going to hit us in the middle very hard with redundancies being a distinct posibility.

Still you are right it is a way off and we should champion our fabulous system while we still have it!

RamblingRosa · 24/05/2011 20:42

He definitely can't strike as a non-union member! It's great that he wants to support the strike but he could get fired if he just randomly tells his employer that he's on strike.

Is he a teacher? If not, better to join an appropriate union for his workplace.

Original poster
CRS · 24/05/2011 20:43

Yes, he is. So will join NUT. Thanks.

OP posts:
diabolo · 24/05/2011 20:45

Norfolk - middle schools are FANTASTIC, and in my area (West Suffolk) we fare well above average at KS2. It'll be a sad day when it comes around.

RamblingRosa · 24/05/2011 20:48

Out of interest, how come he's not a member already if he's really pro-union and keen to strike?

Original poster
CRS · 24/05/2011 20:50

Well, we were both in the NASUWT for a long time, then recently we quit to go to NUT and he never bothered to sort out his membership was very busy and didn't get round to it, so is currently unionless!

OP posts:
NorfolkNChance · 24/05/2011 20:50

diablo I know we are (also in WS) our results made a complete mockery of the councils arguements for SOR! Which school are you at? PM if you like

RamblingRosa · 24/05/2011 20:50

Ah, I see. Sorry for being nosy :) Sounds like he should join.

soverylucky · 24/05/2011 20:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RamblingRosa · 24/05/2011 20:52

What makes you think public won't support. I think there will be a lot of public support on this one.

soverylucky · 24/05/2011 20:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Feenie · 24/05/2011 20:54

He is a teacher without a union? Are you both nuts? Shock Forget about the strike issue for a moment, go and get him in a union, it is essential to protect yourself from malicious allegations in teaching.

soverylucky · 24/05/2011 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaurieFairyCake · 24/05/2011 20:55

Can someone answer the following for me - dh in shower and don't know if he will know.

  1. Is this going to only affect new joiners to the pension scheme
  2. How long do you have to work now to get the full pension - dh will be knackered by 50 at this rate. My gran retired at 60 on a full teachers pension I think?
Original poster
CRS · 24/05/2011 20:56

Not nosy, RamblingRosa, it's fine! I don't mind being told IABU, my partner who I imagine still wants to live with me and me with him (checks relationships threads for "AIBU to want to leave my partner of eleven years because I am a Marxist leaning intellectual, and she is a bit thick and has been known to watch Jeremy Kyle idiot brain" )

I still remain unconvinced thus far.

OP posts:
RamblingRosa · 24/05/2011 20:56

I've never met anyone who thinks that! I think most people think teachers are hard working and low paid. I certainly do.

Feenie · 24/05/2011 20:56

One day in the summer term just isn't enough to make a big enough impact.

Thought there was a second day planned in the Autumn?

OP, we are a dual teaching household too - we can barely afford to lose 2 days pay. But nor can we afford to lose nearly £200 a month in a pension hike.

The 3% hike has been plucked from thin air, with no consultation or proper valuation. It's a hell of a lot to most people.

soverylucky · 24/05/2011 20:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CRS · 24/05/2011 20:58

Yes - I know it's stupid not to be in a union - he does too. But is very scatty busy. Is doing it online as we speak though! So that's ONE good thing about the strike action proposal, I guess.....

OP posts:
NorfolkNChance · 24/05/2011 20:58

Laurie it will affect pensions from the moment it is introduced. So I have X number of years on the old scheme, this will be protected (as is my understanding) but from then on it will be on the new scheme.

However I may have it wrong.

Feenie · 24/05/2011 20:58

Glad to hear it Smile

Original poster
CRS · 24/05/2011 20:59

Most people I have met think we are, as a profession, underworked and over paid. Which is ironic, but true. There are unfortunately a lot of people out there who read the Daily Fail.

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LaurieFairyCake · 24/05/2011 21:01

Thanks NorfolkNChance Smile

I just went on the NUT calculator and it said dh would lose £250,000 over 25 years even if he works til 68 and he'd have to pay £100 extra a month to get the reduced pension I've just described.

That's way shitter than I thought it was Shock

Original poster
CRS · 24/05/2011 21:03

But that calculator would be better for me if not exaggerated - I DO THINK THE PROPOSED CHANGE IS DREADFUL. But would prefer it if it wasn't exaggerated. Is your husband going to live to be 93?

OP posts: