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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

re teacher's strike

284 replies

norton84 · 23/11/2011 19:19

Firstly I have no problem with teacher's striking. I have a young teacher in the family and can see where they are coming from.

However, today I found a letter in dd's book bag saying that the school may or may not be open on 30th and please can we have alternative arrangement in place just in case.
AIBU to think more notice would have been good?

Obv knew stike was possible but as school had not been in touch of course we assumed we would not be affected.

OP posts:
BrigadierRevoltingPeasant · 23/11/2011 19:22

norton yanbu to feel inconvenienced but yabu to expect more notice, really.

I am a lecturer and we may be going on strike, or not, it's all up in the air really. The point of threatened strikes is so the pressure mounts on the govt to retract. Often strikes are called off. So I personally haven't made strike contingency plans till this week. My union has 'gone on strike' about 4 times since I've been a member but only one has actually come off. There's no sense in generating hysteria weeks in advance, really....

abbierhodes · 23/11/2011 19:22

The unions only have to give 7 days notice of strike, so most schools will have made their decision today.

LaurieFairyCake · 23/11/2011 19:22

The entire country was informed by meeja a week ago.

We have also been told the same by dd's school as they can't (obviously) predict until the day how many will strike - it is actually supposed to be disruptive ;)

Hulababy · 23/11/2011 19:24

The whole point of a strike is to cause disruption and inconvenience.

The whoel thing has been in the media for weeks, with the date. I have kept this date in mind and considered the options for childcare if required since then.

As it is my school is closed entirely and DD's school remains open.

PotteringAlong · 23/11/2011 19:27

They've been talking about it in the news for months and months as a possibility. How much of a heads up that it was in the cards did you need?!

hellhasnofury · 23/11/2011 19:27

Trouble is there might be an intention to strike by the unions involved but individual members do not have to declare their intentions so many HT's do not know what the situation will be next week.

auntiepicklebottom2 · 23/11/2011 19:30

i haven't made up my mind to strike or not, i work for the NHS and if the government don't listen we can strike.

It will effect every public services, not just teachers

TheMonster · 23/11/2011 19:31

I'm a teacher and I don't know if my school is open or not. Do I plan for that day or not?
I aslo don't know if my son's school is open or not.
Lots of people are in the same boat.

bigpants103 · 23/11/2011 19:33

The schools don't have to give you any warning. They do because they know it's hard to find childcare at such short notice and that they don't want to lose parental support where possible.

It's meant to cause a disruption. That's the whole point. Schools still hoping government will come up with a deal and the strike be called off. (long shot I know).

Unions gave 7 days notice today so think lots of schools sent a letter out today.

Flisspaps · 23/11/2011 19:34

Teachers only had it confirmed at the arse end of last week that they were striking (DH is a teacher) so your DD's headteacher won't have been able to let you know in advance that the strike was going ahead.

Headteachers can't tell you if the school is closed for definite though as striking staff are not obliged to tell their employer if they are intending to strike or not.

slavetofilofax · 23/11/2011 19:35

We have been told that we will know for certain if the school will be shut on the day before the strike.

It's annoying, but much worse for people who will miss hospital appointments if nurses and NHS workers strike. My dh has a treatment booked for that day, and as much as I support the strike, we will both be very upset if his appointment gets cancelled.

pointydog · 23/11/2011 19:36

The possible strike has been on the news for weeks. No one can confirm until the last minute due to the very nature of negotiation. I don't know why you assumed your school would not be affected.

auntiepicklebottom2 · 23/11/2011 19:42

slavetofilofax.......thats is the reason why i am in 2 minds, i really don't want to put patients at risk.

jollydiane · 23/11/2011 19:42

YANBU however as soon as I heard that there could be a strike I moved all meetings with customers to another day, we have planned out the weeks work, any part-time staff we allowed them to swap their days, childcare was arranged, some staff are working extra from home in the evening etc. I think the more strikes we have the more flexible the private sector will become. The most important point is I wish they didn't use our children to make a point and found another way.

hocuspontas · 23/11/2011 19:42

Hulababy - I know you are a fellow TA and I hope you don't think I'm being nosy with my question! If you are not striking yourself are you being given a day off or do you have to go in? The TAs and office staff in my school have to go in for a normal day but the MDAs just have to sign in and then go home.
I didn't know if this was the norm.

unfitmother · 23/11/2011 19:43

Staff don't have to give notice of their intention to strike.
I'm not allowed to ask my (NHS) staff if they're coming in or not.

MigratingCoconuts · 23/11/2011 19:44

NASUWT had not officially told the area reps that we are striking because they are hopeful for an agreement before that. Today, I heard that the advice is to plan for a strike that may or may not happen.

As it goes, many teachers are also very unhappy about the lack of information but do understand that this is a very flexible, ever changing situation.

WorraLiberty · 23/11/2011 19:44

Also, the school has to do a lot of jiggling around...risk assesments etc to see if they can keep a certain amount of classes open.

Ours are keeping 4 open out of the usual 17 but the kids must bring their own packed lunch, even if they normally have free school meals or they won't be allowed in.

auntiepicklebottom2 · 23/11/2011 19:44

jollydiane...what would you suggest.

PomBearAtTheGatesOfDoom · 23/11/2011 19:47

We had one of those "we might strike so be prepared just in case" letters too. I guess we're lucky in that it makes no difference to me what they do, I am here to mind the DCs if school is closed, but I can see how it can be very inconvienient and frustrating for people who need to arrange childcare and juggle work and DCs at short notice.

jollydiane · 23/11/2011 19:48

I usually get shot down in flames for suggesting another way, and I really don't want a fight. I sympathise with your situation but I cannot agree with you taking out on my child's education.

slavetofilofax · 23/11/2011 19:49

Auntie thanks Smile That's exactly the problem though, people like you who work hard and deserve to be treated better are generally nice people who don't want to lots of people down by not being at work. So you don't strike and get treated worse as a result.

I think most patients do support the strike, it's just a shame that people have to be in this position at all.

Bitdifferent · 23/11/2011 19:50

I also work for the NHS will not be striking am not a union member but am not allowed annual or carers leave to look after my two school age dds. I had a letter last Friday warning me of possible action, when I went into work on Tuesday I assumed I'd be able to book leave. My childcare plans are rather convoluted now. Funnily enough my DH doesn't fancy cancelling 30 odd patients on the off chance the school closes so he's taking them into work then a friend will pick them up for lunch. So no YANBU, other public sector workers are being penalised by the actions. Has there been a high turnout to vote for strike action?

jollydiane · 23/11/2011 19:52

Unless teachers strike for a prolonged period the private sector is starting to adapt so the point of teachers striking is being diluted.

IneedAbetterNickname · 23/11/2011 19:52

We haven't had a letter so I assume the school are not striking! Mind you they never have (or at least not in the 10 years a friend of mine has had DC there!)