AIBU to unleash the union on my manager?

[Creambeforejam]

Hi all, so I teach in a Sec comp and have done so for 12 years or so. All my classes make good progress and my students respond positively to my teaching. My parents like what I do I suppose. Most of the lessons I get observed in are usually good to outstanding rated apart from maybe one or two.
Well, one of the lessons that was rated as satisfactory had this in the observer comment notes: 'accent is difficult to understand and students have to try really hard to comprehend'.
Background, this particular observer dislikes me (I think) due to some issues we may have had in the past but to comment about my accent in such a negative manner seems to be below the belt.
Note: When I applied for this job many years ago, she interviewed me and didn't have an issue with my accent. Also, this is not the first time she has observed me but the first she has done so after our disagreement.
AIBU to think I should get the unions involved?
Or shall I let it just go to keep the peace?

What is it that you'd want to achieve?

If you're a member of a union, then they're there for you. But your class was rated as satisfactory, so I'm not quite sure what you'd want the union to do for you.

Is your line manger happy with you?

Which subject do you teach? It does sound like they are trying to get back at you. Maybe if it is 'satisfactory' then just go along with it. Smile and nod and agree. It might be quite stressful to get union involved & you may end up having more observations as a result.

What does your manager expect you to do about your accent?

Personally I'd unleash hell - but I work in a different industry where unleashing union hell is basically a sport.

When you say accent, are you from another part of the UK with a stronger regional accent, or is English not your first language?

If it’s the former, it’s not a very diplomatic way of raising the issue. If you’re from another country or a non native speaker, Id be worried that her “concerns” are more racist/xenophobic.

Meant to say YANBU.

Just because someone has the title of manager doesn’t mean that they actually know how to manage. Regardless of where you’re from, she should have addressed any issues much more professionally rather than just saying you’re hard to understand.

What is your accent, OP?

Lesson rating is not an issue for me as I have already stated in actual fact, of about 22 ons, she is the only one whaa rated me satisfactory - I have no qualms, hee professional opinion. I am okay with it.
I have however felt this was something more than a constructive criticism and was because of past issues which is nothing to do with my teaching but policy. I feel like she is showing me where powwr lies but in some but using something I can't change. She has never had an issue with my accent before and she hasa observes at least 5 lessons before that.
Unions because it will not be something I will tolerate if she intends to follow this trajectory.
My accent is not from this country. Wakandalike.

Sorry for the typos. Typing really fast and not proof reading. No wonder she thinks I am satisfactory. Lol

My accent is not from this country

Your manager is an idiot.

There’s a million ways she could have addressed this- by suggesting you speak slightly slower, without mentioning your accent for example.

Absolutely go to your union. Some compulsory diversity training could legitimately help her.

Satisfactory hasn't been a thing in teaching for years!

It's worthy of a complaint. They have absolutely no business marking you down because of a regional accent, all other things being equal. It's outrageous.

If she has never mentioned your accent before then it does seem to be about a power play.
However as a teacher you often have children commenting that they cannot understand other members of staff. They fall into 2 categories -

1. Kids who say it because they are racist/ troublemakers/ looking for a way to undermine the teacher.

1. Kids who say it because they genuinely have trouble understanding and feel it is affecting their learning. I don’t think it’s actually racist to point out when this is the case and for a manager to comment on it.

I know, we use a branded electronic system so you can average it out. Success criteria for various categories rated 1 - 4. You can work out the average etc