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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is the walkout being voted on?

59 replies

Biscuitsareessential · 02/01/2021 18:45

Just that really I have heard about the NEU organising this walkout but will it be voted on by their members?
Yabu yes it will
Yanbu no it won’t

OP posts:
Evvyjb · 02/01/2021 19:46

Teachers havent done anything so far because it is a job which requires that they put others before themselves. It has simply got to a point where it is IMPOSSIBLE to continue the way it has been going.

Viviennemary · 02/01/2021 19:46

Why then did the hospital workers not down tools and walk out when they weren't given proper ppe. According to this they would have been within their rights.

Staffy1 · 02/01/2021 19:49

What does CEV stand for?

TheEchtMeaningofChristmas · 02/01/2021 19:50

Just that really I have heard about the NEU organising this walkout but will it be voted on by their members?

Why not look just a teeny bit further, actually look at what the union said, how such industrial actions works. It makes you look bit thick when you can't do the basics.

On the other hand if you want to start an inflammatory thread, fill yer boots.

lyralalala · 02/01/2021 19:50

@Viviennemary

Why then did the hospital workers not down tools and walk out when they weren't given proper ppe. According to this they would have been within their rights.
They would have been within their rights to do so. Their goodwill and good natures meant they didn't.
Phineyj · 02/01/2021 19:51

Possibly because HCP expect to encounter infectious diseases at work while teachers expect to, you know, teach?

TheEchtMeaningofChristmas · 02/01/2021 19:51

Why then did the hospital workers not down tools and walk out when they weren't given proper ppe. According to this they would have been within their rights

I've no idea, why don't you ask them?

JacobReesMogadishu · 02/01/2021 19:53

@Viviennemary

Why then did the hospital workers not down tools and walk out when they weren't given proper ppe. According to this they would have been within their rights.
It’s a bit more complicated for nurses, etc. Firstly if teachers walk out nobody dies. You can’t say the ssame for medical positions. Nurses have to adhere to the nmc code and could be potentially struck off if they’ve done something which brings their profession into disrepute.....and I’d say walking off a ward would be that. Even without the Code I can’t imagine nurses doing that.
cromwell44 · 02/01/2021 19:53

What echtmeaning said.

TheEchtMeaningofChristmas · 02/01/2021 19:53

It's starting to really drive me mad the way people - presumably adults - don't understand anything. It isn't a strike. They have asked the government for info about safety in schools. If the government can't demonstrate schools are safe, they are entitled to not go into an unsafe work force. This is hardly a radical idea. People really should try to grasp the basics.

It's one of most disappointing aspects of MN these days. Basic finding out information has gone down the drain. Little critical thinking.

I blame the teachers.:o

YuleAreBeingUnREASTIEable · 02/01/2021 19:57

I have a zoom meeting tomorrow morning with NEU, all members invited. I guess they’ll explain more than their statement we’ve got then

edwinbear · 02/01/2021 20:08

How can the NEU comment that ALL primary schools are unsafe? Do they know the specifics of each and every one?

So DD’s independent primary, with classes of 15 pupils, good sized classrooms, all pupils and staff required to test this week, before presenting results when they were due to return on Friday, and a trained team of parent volunteers, ready to test pupils, where required, on site, daily - that’s unsafe according to NEU is it? Because even with all those measures in place, DD’s teachers have still decided to down tools. What else would they like? Hmm

DotBall · 02/01/2021 20:09

Why didn’t CEV teachers exercise this right months ago

I’m the only CEV staff member in a school of 80 staff. Bit difficult to stick my neck out on my own. I did, however, work with my Head to come to an arrangement that was acceptable to both which worked for the autumn term.

Now, the goal posts have shifted. The virus has mutated and I’m now shielding again. I can’t tell you how relieved I am that I DON’T have to attend.

sausageathlete · 02/01/2021 20:18

[quote PaxMalmKallax]@singsingbluesilver both the main unions are rubbish. Sadly I can’t afford alternative forms of legal representation should I need it.... so I have no option.[/quote]
Edapt is affordable.

Lancrelady80 · 02/01/2021 20:21

@edwinbear

How can the NEU comment that ALL primary schools are unsafe? Do they know the specifics of each and every one?

So DD’s independent primary, with classes of 15 pupils, good sized classrooms, all pupils and staff required to test this week, before presenting results when they were due to return on Friday, and a trained team of parent volunteers, ready to test pupils, where required, on site, daily - that’s unsafe according to NEU is it? Because even with all those measures in place, DD’s teachers have still decided to down tools. What else would they like? Hmm

Surely you realise this is not representative of the vast majority of primary schools?

NEU is reminding teachers they have a legal right to work in safe conditions. If unsafe, they have the legal right to refuse to attend that workplace without detriment.

IF it is unsafe.

I would wonder if there are other aspects in play at your school eg vulnerable staff, cleaners, support staff etc meaning it is unable to open safely.

Teachers don't just decide "we're not going to our workplace."

And before anyone starts, even if teachers do act on their legal right to refuse to attend a dangerous workplace, they WILL still be working, providing remote learning according to their particular school's policy. This is not a doss. Remote learning is NOT the easy option here, and the fact thousands of teachers would rather do that than work as normal should be indicative of just how unsafe they feel.

spanieleyes · 02/01/2021 20:24

In fact, it will be harder as we expect our NEU teachers will be in school teaching keyworker and vulnerable children in their classes face to face whilst providing home learning for the rest!

ilovesooty · 02/01/2021 20:25

@inquietant

Its starting to really drive me mad the way people - presumably adults - don't understand anything.

It isn't a strike. They have asked the government for info about safety in schools. If the government can't demonstrate schools are safe, they are entitled to not go into an unsafe work force. This is hardly a radical idea.

People really should try to grasp the basics.

Couldn't agree more.
MadameBlobby · 02/01/2021 20:25

@Viviennemary

Why then did the hospital workers not down tools and walk out when they weren't given proper ppe. According to this they would have been within their rights.
Yes they would have. They presumably decided to put their patients ahead of themselves.
MintyMabel · 02/01/2021 20:26

Surely unions should be beholden to the wishes of its members?

😂Funniest thing I’ve read for a while.

OH worked for an organisation where Union membership was a thing. He wasn’t a member, but every year they were told they were getting a pay rise. Union said it’s not enough (never asked the members) their pay rise was then delayed for 6 months where they would negotiate. It was never increased by more than 0.1%, a few years it never changed, and they’d eventually get the pay rise in December with a lump sum for the backdated pay. Seven years that happened. We called it our Christmas savings plan.

EmmanuelleMakro · 02/01/2021 20:26

I am a member and voting... nada

edwinbear · 02/01/2021 20:31

@Lancrelady80 yes, I do of course understand that both pupils and staff at DD’s school are in a much better position than most. They have the space, resources, funding and (given the longer school holiday) the time, to implement more robust measures. Hence it feels to me, that at our school, safety is not the reason the staff are not prepared to provide face to face teaching. I admit to being skeptical regarding the real reason they don’t want to return under their specific working conditions. Which is a question for the HT really.

ThatDamnKrampus · 02/01/2021 20:38

A parent not a teacher here but I fully support them (even though it will be bloody hard work trying to work with two SN children but health of all comes first!). The teachers and support staff have a right to a safe work place (as do all staff in any setting). Our children also have a right to a safe learning environment, and families have a right to be safe whilst meeting the needs (in this case education).

I am fully behind teachers, head teachers and support staff if they choose to refuse to work in unsafe conditions!

MrJinxyCat · 02/01/2021 20:41

@Staffy1
Clinically extremely vulnerable

ktp100 · 02/01/2021 20:41

I guess their argument would be that it's a matter of urgency so they don't have time to take a vote & they're going ahead and advising their members of what to do.

cardibach · 02/01/2021 20:50

The NEU would know they would get all the criticisms that have shown up in this thread: why no vote? Why teachers and not NHS? Teachers are just lefties, etc etc ad infinitum
The still gave this advice. Because it’s the only option. Government do not care and neither do most of the population by the looks of it. Well, teachers will look after themselves then - both now and after the pandemic. You reap what you sow.