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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask WHY in the name of Gove are teachers striking again?

792 replies

loftyclopflop · 17/09/2013 18:17

DD's school is closing on 1st October because they have chosen to strike. Is it over pay, pensions and conditions? Did they achieve anything by striking a couple of years ago other than massively inconveniencing a lot of parents?

I know Gove is a twat but do they really expect to change anything by taking the day off?

OP posts:
EsTutMirLeid · 17/09/2013 23:08

Look what I am trying to say is job cuts are happening everywhere, pensionable age is changing everywhere. We are all expected to work harder for no extra pay. Please have sympathy for other people trying to get by in the same way you are. And please stop assuming that your job is more important than anyone else's and that you are the hardest done by.

Bodicea · 17/09/2013 23:08

My point is that you see an awful lot of threads with teachers moaning. And if you compare the number
Of strikes healthcare workers have made in the past 5 years or so it is most definitely lower than the amount that teachers or civil servants have made.
I am not slagging of the profession just pointing out they get an awful lot of perks in comparison to other public servants and that isn't very often acknowledged. I would also note that the police are one of the more poorly done by of public servants too.

EvilTwins · 17/09/2013 23:08

Also, the thorny holiday issue. Yes, I get more holiday than any other profession. But how many other professionals work during their annual leave? I know DH doesn't. My kids are in paid holiday clubs, just like a lot of my friends' kids are, because I am working in my holidays. I probably average 4 days in a half term break, 5 or 6 in a two week holiday and at least 2 weeks in the summer. I do it because it needs doing. I cannot NOT do it.

ilovesooty · 17/09/2013 23:09

Exactly, TheFallenMadonna

skylerwhite · 17/09/2013 23:09

The division on this thread, not only between public and private sector workers but also amongst public sector workers, is really depressing. Working conditions should not be a race to the bottom. Sadly, the only people benefiting from this division are those at the v top of society: the ones with the real 'gold-plated pensions'. We need to find our way back to solidarity.

TheFallenMadonna · 17/09/2013 23:09

Firefighters are going on strike next week BTW. So not just teachers then...

EvilTwins · 17/09/2013 23:12

I don't think you get a lot of threads for teachers to moan. I think you get a lot of threads which are deliberately started to moan ABOUT teachers, and consequently teachers defend themselves. I can't remember the last "Here's a thread for us all to post about how shit nurses are" thread, but there was at least one "Who wants to moan about their DC's school" thread last week.

EsTutMirLeid · 17/09/2013 23:13

And here it goes again.., so teachers now need to retire at 60 because of hearing loss? Come on. Policeman and prison officers have to restrain violent prisoners. Firemen have to wear full protective gear and rescue people from fire and so forth. I'm much more sympathetic to their issues regarding retirement age.

We can't all retire at 60. We are on average living 20 years beyond that age, it's not sustainable or supportable. (Oh sorry I forgot teachers only live to 67).

cricketballs · 17/09/2013 23:13

there are a couple of things I would like to add to this discussion..

first off StarlightMcKenzie "I have not come across a single teacher that Zi believe woukd strike over standards for SEN children. Strike to avoid having them in their class yes, but not to have them well taught." forgive my language but that statement is a load of shit - teachers want all students to receive the education that they deserve and need for future success. Sometimes this means that children with SEN are not having their needs met in a class of 30+ with targets ranging from P scale to level 7 (believe me this was one of my year 7 groups last year) and no support available. This is unacceptable for all the students in this group, from those on the P scales to the top end of the scale

in terms of the pension - many times the teaching unions have asked for a full set of accounts - the unions have details to show that the pension is self funding this request has been denied several times.

When I started teaching (after 15 years in the private sector so I do know the real world Grin) I signed up to a set of terms and conditions which have been changed without any consultation. In my previous life I would have not just 'gone with it' so why should I now?

The education of our children is being used as a political football that no teacher agrees with - we need to make our voices known

when the Government -Gove--tell us that interactive/innovative teaching is rubbish but OFSTED slam us for not being interactive/innovative.....

wherearemysocka · 17/09/2013 23:14

I have every sympathy for other workers, but I can only fight for my own terms and conditions. Surely we are playing into the government's hands as public sector workers if we snipe at each other? Apology accepted, by the way, Es tut mir Leid. Like the username.

revealall · 17/09/2013 23:20

I HATE the brightest and best argument because it's so wrong. If you make teaching a "cushy" well paid profession you get dross. If you like children and want to help you go into teaching whatever the pay. Literally hundreds of graduates are trying to get into teaching mostly as a safe option.
I don't think you can get rid of teachers at ALL. You get the union in and they're off for a bit and phased in for a few months and then, maybe, (if they get another job) they get paid off. In the real world you get a months notice.

SomethingOnce · 17/09/2013 23:20

The teachers have the total support of the Something household in general and re the strike.

A day's 'inconvenience' is fine with us. Strike on.

EsTutMirLeid · 17/09/2013 23:22

Of course you can but by striking you are doing it at the expense of our children.

Ah well... look I do have a certain amount of sympathy I really do. I just think your profession is a very difficult one to have sympathy with when there seems to be very little empathy for people in other professions and such a strong 'woe is me, I have the hardest job in the world' attitude which I am afraid a significant number of you give off.

ilovesooty · 17/09/2013 23:22

I don't think you can get rid of teachers at ALL. You get the union in and they're off for a bit and phased in for a few months and then, maybe, (if they get another job) they get paid off. In the real world you get a months notice

You're wrong. Recently things have changed. A lot.

Wonderstuff · 17/09/2013 23:24

I think you'll find that policemen and firefighters retire at around 50, not sure about prison officers, but I doubt they work to 60.

But it isn't just pensions, it's a sustained attack in all our terms and conditions of service. It's about protecting our profession. Teaching is vital to society.

EvilTwins · 17/09/2013 23:25

Revealall, there are so many things wrong with your post I'm struggling not to laugh.

So keeping the wages down means that only people who really want to do it will bother? Confused How about making the money, T&C competitive so that decent young graduates see it as a top option? That way more people want to teach and schools/training courses get to choose those best suited to it.

gordyslovesheep · 17/09/2013 23:25

people need to focus on what is being done to education - if they are really THAT concerned about one days strike action - be concerned about the rest

Oh and Academies don't have to recognise unions, stick to nationally agreed pay and conditions, or even employ qualified teachers

revealall · 17/09/2013 23:26

Well that's a good thing then. Poor, slack and even dangerous teachers were allowed in the system for too long.
Where do we find out what or if the new system is working please?

EvilTwins · 17/09/2013 23:26

Oh, and it's a heck of a lot easier to get rid of poor teachers than it once was. And I would argue that most employers have to prove that other avenues have been explored before giving final notice. But hey, what would I know? I'm a teacher with no experience of the "real" world.Grin

EvilTwins · 17/09/2013 23:29

Where do we find out if the new system is working?

Try your DC's school.

Mind you, the "system" will have changed again before long so who knows.

TarkaTheOtter · 17/09/2013 23:29

I'd have thought that actually working-to-rule would be significantly more damaging to children's education than a one day strike.

I fully support the teachers.

longfingernails · 17/09/2013 23:30

I find it reassuring that the teaching unions are squealing so much; it shows Gove's policies are working.

The militant NUT/NASUWT are screeching in ever more shrill indignation, and what is great is that they are screeching in vain. The choice agenda in state education is here, it is spreading roots at an ever-increasing pace, and it is here to stay.

Parents are fed up of pampered teachers spouting their militant drivel. But if there is a teachers' strike, maybe we can get a repeat of Red Ed's greatest ever media performance: These Strikes Are Wrong.

EsTutMirLeid · 17/09/2013 23:31

Irrespective of their current retirement age, like yours (like mine) it's changing. As I said before we are living longer (thanks to people like me Wink) and we can't all retire early and expect to be supported for 20 years post retirement. However good your pension.

NewNameforNewTerm · 17/09/2013 23:31

"If you make teaching a "cushy" well paid profession you get dross." Confused ....

"If you like children and want to help you go into teaching whatever the pay." - but would that encourage the best candidates?
"Literally hundreds of graduates are trying to get into teaching mostly as a safe option." - Yes I've seen lots of job applications, lots from graduates who retrained having been made redundant a few years ago. But reading application forms and interviewing them shows that many, many of them retrained as teachers for just that reason and were not that interested, committed or talented at the actual job. So do you think we actually wanted to employ them?
"you can get rid of teachers at ALL" - not from the evidence at chalkface that I've seen.

gordyslovesheep · 17/09/2013 23:31

yeh it's great - lets have lots of inexperienced NQT's with no support, 'cover supervisors' and non qualified teachers in the classroom - who needs professionally qualified, experienced staff - anyone can teach it's easy Hmm

I'd love every one to spend one lesson in some of the schools I work in - and still feel teaching is easy - I'll start you in the PRU - where teacher lock themselves away for their own safety ...take it from there

you devalue those who educate ...you devalue education - education matters for my children - and everyone elses

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