FFS - you have NOT had 2 days notice of strike action! Sorry, FB again.

[IHeartKingThistle]

School mums all over FB mouthing off about being given '2 days notice' about the strike on Thursday. We had a letter last week saying there may be action on that day and they would let us know. And IT'S A NATIONAL STRIKE! IT'S BEEN ON THE BLOODY NEWS!

If I hear one more person say 'let's fine the school, see how they like it' I may lose it. It's school, not childcare. It's a shitty time to be a teacher and no-one is listening.

Rant over. Feel free to ignore me.

... the strike will change nothing. The strike has lowered again my level of respect for this profession.

Step, the previous action already resulted in improvements in funding for pensions and it also rebuffed Gove's proposals to de-regulate working conditions.

You are yet another example of someone who needs to educate themselves on the strike before making judgments on a profession which is suffering under an aggressive Government.

My DD's last school was appalling for communication and other schools may well be just as bad. With this school we've had lots of notice, the other I made several complaints about.

I'm not naive enough to think all schools are as good as the current one.

PROFESSIONS

This is no way just about teachers

I never normally comment on the "teacher striking" threads. I used to be supportive. I am totally indifferent to teachers striking now. I used to be sympathetic but I just don't care any more. The interesting thing is I have noticed that most of the people (friends, work colleagues, clients, suppliers etc.) I know have become completely indifferent to teachers striking other than moaning about the inconvenience. I can assure people that politics are debated and discussed in a lot of depth and discussions can get passionate. I just think people see the teachers strikes as a bit of a pain in the backside. Most the people I know just lump the strikes into the "ohhh here we go again. The public sector are striking and moaning again" category.

In our group of friends we have one friend that's a deputy head. I always feel a bit sorry for her because every time she tries to raise the issue someone just changes the subject.

I think people have "public sector strike fatigue".

The only place I still see passion for this subject is actually on MN. I think it says alot about how some people may be feeling. Just an observation really.

I am sure there are other people that probably have the polar opposite experience to me. I am sure someone will probably tell me to "get lost in the nicest possible way but it just struck me when I read this thread.

Another point that although it is raised in this and every other thread about strikes affecting schools - the HT is not allowed to ask staff if they are striking, we don't even have to indicate how many will be taking action therefore it is not a communication issue.

I'm amazed at the lack of knowledge regarding people knowing that this strike by so many public sector unions is taking place; its on the news, in papers, on this website etc. Even if you are not directly told, common sense should tell you to have plans in place just as if your child is to ill to go to school or if there is an emergency which means the school would have to close

I agree with you completely littlepod, people just see it as a PITA.

There is certainly one other place where people still talk about it with passion though; schools.

I still have no idea if my children are in school or not, there has been no communication from school either way.

I work for a private company, have done for seven years (anniversary is today). During the seven years I haven't requested that my job has changed, however during the last seven years the role has significantly changed, my customers and business are demanding much more from me in terms of analytics and the business has changed not only my customers base but sales targets (large increases) and sector. I have had a pay freeze.

At times I have complained, I have considered looking elsewhere for a job but I haven't got the option to strike and with it cause disruption to a lot of people working to pay their household bills. If I am very unhappy I will find another job.

Surely in today's modern world it can't be a huge shock that the teaching profession is going through modernisation and change? More reporting, changes to curriculum/lesson planning and adapting to new teaching methods is surely not a huge surprise? if you are not happy then look at other roles that would suit you more?

I notice a lot of teachers on this thread during the teaching day?

I notice that only 27% of members of the NUT bothered to vote?

They can all bore off. Viva la revolucion!

My son's school is fully open on Thursday. It's a shame because I would have liked him to come to the rally yes - this all three of mine are in school

Step I am sure the whole 'profession' is gutted ... (not sure which profession you mean though given there are many people striking on Thursday)

I'm a teacher but I'm at home at the moment as I've recently had surgery.

Vseth do you have a special teaching detecting radar ...that also works out which teachers are part time, off sick, on mat leave etc ?

Striking is a fundamental right. School is NOT childcare. I heartily support all the workers marching on Thursday.

Vseth - you're comments are pretty dickish.

Vseth not everyone who works in education works a typical 'teaching day'.

Also, what makes you think that teachers are going to strike because they're having to 'adapt to new teaching methods'? Do you really think that's why over 500,000 teachers are angry at the Government?

So vSeth if all the unhappy teachers decide to look for another job instead of working for the govt, what will happen? Schools will be closed for more than one day.

Teaching is not the same as being an accountant or an architect or a mechanic.

You'd rather your child's teacher simply looked for a role that would suit them more, instead of fighting for a job that is important and beneficial to your child? Really? I suspect you'd be quick to complain if the majority of teachers at your child's school just upped and left.

Haunted that's a bit belittling to other professions. Are you saying teachers are more important than the other professions? Its comments like this that added to me becoming indifferent to the public sector cause.

Those people pay a lot of money into the public purse so teachers get paid!

Ausomer. It's a shame because surely the campaign would be stronger if teachers had the majority of none public sector support.

striking is not a bloomin' fundamental right - it is a right which is enshrined in law for SOME... some have to sign away that right in order to follow their profession, some are not union members and some are members of non-striking unions.

Little no, not at all. I'm just pointing out that there are fewer employers out there for teachers. Private schools or state. I'm not a teacher btw.

Absolutely LittlePea, you're right. Unfortunately though unless the majority of the general public watch BBC Parliament, read the TES or go out and do their own research on the matter the only views they will have are those gleaned from the news, or else their own views of having their day disrupted.

The news varies in how it broadcasts the issue but on the day of the strike it will mostly show a) how many schools are closed/disrupted and b) brief interviews with parents - half of whom will be in support of the strike and half of whom will be angry about the disruption. The points Teachers have vs the points the Government have will barely be covered at all, so the general public are never really properly aware of the issues behind the strike.

Awsomer - be embarrassed for yourself. I did not at any point say the strike was just a few individuals. I didn't claim and certainly don't think I'm the first person to review the negative impact teachers working conditions have. And I was specificaly talking about the need for teachers to convince the public not try to work behind the scenes.

I was replying to YouTheCat saying that instead of striking what the profession needs to do is regain its standing with the public. One of the ways I suggest that they should do that was by developing the practice of teaching in an evidence based fashion as a profession. The "not simply a few individuals" was an acknowledgement that some teachers are involved in decent research into effective methodology, but it isn't what you hear teachers talking about much. It isn't what the unions talk much.

I pointed out that I'm not saying "don't strike" because I think teachers should be happy with where they are. I'm saying "don't strike" because ultimately I think it will lead to a worse situation for teachers (and consequently, from a selfish perspective, for my children).

You can talk all you want about the work "behind the scenes", but public sector workers in particular need public support if they want to be succesfull. Convincing politicians is a more precarious way to build a power base (and teachers don't seem to be very good at it). And pissing off the public by striking when they haven't won the public's hearts and minds will undermine what little power they do have.

LittlePea I think Haunted is saying teachers have no choice who to work for; all teachers work for the government. Even private schools can be subject to government constrains and inspections. So if you aren't happy with your job as a teacher you can't just up and leave and look for another employer to teach for.
He wasn't belittling other jobs.