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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you support a teaching strike?

264 replies

Strictly1 · 02/10/2022 18:00

Unions are currently talking to teachers regarding the proposed pay rise and government funding.
I do not want to strike but also know changes are needed for our children’s sake. With dwindling external support from agencies - schools are being expected to do more and more on limited resources that I predict will reduce due to squeezed budgets. The proposed pay rises are not funded. None of it is sustainable.

I honestly do not know what the realistic solution is.

YABU - you do not support teachers striking
YANBU - you do support teachers striking.

OP posts:
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5
NameChangeLifeChange · 02/10/2022 20:22

It’ll be a flipping nightmare but I am 100% in support.

Whichwhatnow · 02/10/2022 20:22

Piggywaspushed · 02/10/2022 19:28

That's seriously shocking.

I think people who think 40K is a lot for a primary teacher are those who have n understanding of the complexity or demands of the role.

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It sounds shocking because it's bollocks. No such job exists. Even if this came up as a question it'd be referred to the legal team. Not sure whether @Iamnotthe1 is bullshitting or her friend is but someone is...

I personally support pretty much all strikes. I agree that teachers are overworked and underpaid, in common with pretty much everyone I know in frontline public sector roles. As well as those working in care, in hospitality... the list goes on. A coordinated general strike is needed IMO.

Benjispruce4 · 02/10/2022 20:23

Don’t get me wrong, teachers work very hard and don’t get the respect they deserve. More and more is being passed to teachers: social work, parenting, toilet training etc.

Piggywaspushed · 02/10/2022 20:27

DuchessOfDisco · 02/10/2022 19:59

Unison just had a vote and the majority voted to accept the offer and not strike. But that covered all local government workers, which support staff as classed as.

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That was Scotland.

winewolfhowls · 02/10/2022 20:27

Let us not forget that many teachers do not get to 35+k because the school cannot afford them and so they get 'managed out' in favour of a new teacher of nearly 10k less who is green and keen enough to be worked to the bone

SparklyDiscoBall · 02/10/2022 20:28

A previous poster wrote that teachers can be on £38,000 a year after 6 years of teaching - I wish I had been! I left after 8 years of teaching because my £1800 a month salary wasn’t enough to pay for 2 children in full time nursery (£2000 a month).
I fully support teachers strike action.

Pieceofpurplesky · 02/10/2022 20:32

@Cocokitty what does he teach? I am in the NW and we can't fill positions (only 1/2 applicants per job)

Maltester71 · 02/10/2022 20:32

Yes I’m principle (I’m NHS)

However I have a massive issue with this impacting on teaching for Y11 and Y13.

DD is y13, education disrupted by covid, grade deflation next summer. Really doesn’t need a strike.

TheRubyRedshoes · 02/10/2022 20:38

What's happening with unison's in England?

Leggingslife · 02/10/2022 20:41

Yes.

TheRubyRedshoes · 02/10/2022 20:42

As I've said I support the strike, all school/education staff strikes but please remember the private sector doesn't pay better.

I was absolutely disgusted and horrified when our then head tried to say we all face the same holiday costs and kept on moaning about teachers pay when DH was supporting us on less that 20 grand , worked " to the bone" In a soul destroy job with an absolutely shit pension.

He couldn't move for a few years because of the cc and people were being laid off Left right and centre.

ghostsandpumpkinsalready · 02/10/2022 20:44

After homeschooling my demoN oooPs I mean child then I suPpOrt a teacher strike

surreygirl1987 · 02/10/2022 20:47

I earn £58000 as a HT of a larger than average primary school and 24 years experience and 8 of those in headship

That's ridiculous! I earn quite a few k more than that for being Head of Faculty- in an independent school. The state sector NEEDS to be paying its teachers better... and not from the already stretched school budgets!

Neverfullycharged · 02/10/2022 20:48

It’s not totally unusual for HODs in core subjects to earn more than HTs in primary schools. The way teachers are paid would need to be changed if that was to alter.

Redqueenheart · 02/10/2022 20:50

I think what we need is a general strike.

Upwiththelark76 · 02/10/2022 20:50

I support all striking workers. Teachers included .

Iamnotthe1 · 02/10/2022 20:52

Whichwhatnow · 02/10/2022 20:22

It sounds shocking because it's bollocks. No such job exists. Even if this came up as a question it'd be referred to the legal team. Not sure whether @Iamnotthe1 is bullshitting or her friend is but someone is...

I personally support pretty much all strikes. I agree that teachers are overworked and underpaid, in common with pretty much everyone I know in frontline public sector roles. As well as those working in care, in hospitality... the list goes on. A coordinated general strike is needed IMO.

Show quote history

I can assure you that neither of us are bullshitting. His team ensure compliance with all of the guidance they have to follow whilst working on payment plans to pay down customer debt at the same time as allowing them to continue to gamble in a reduced capacity. It's morally bankrupt but is paid very well.

basilmint · 02/10/2022 20:52

Support staff are amazing and the pay is terrible. However, in every school I've worked in they are definitely (and quite rightly) out of the door at 3.15.

Many of our support staff are also in the NEU. They don't have to be in a separate union.

basilmint · 02/10/2022 20:53

winewolfhowls · 02/10/2022 20:27

Let us not forget that many teachers do not get to 35+k because the school cannot afford them and so they get 'managed out' in favour of a new teacher of nearly 10k less who is green and keen enough to be worked to the bone

Yep.

Meredusoleil · 02/10/2022 20:56

I've known of primary school TAs being part of the GMB union too.

redbigbananafeet · 02/10/2022 20:56

Whetesmymoneytree Are you in favour of teacher strikes? As a teacher yourself and with family in primary sector?

Cocokitty · 02/10/2022 20:56

Pieceofpurplesky · 02/10/2022 20:32

@Cocokitty what does he teach? I am in the NW and we can't fill positions (only 1/2 applicants per job)

He's a primary teacher. I take it you are in secondary? I think it is much harder to recruit for secondary.

Cocokitty · 02/10/2022 20:57

Cocokitty · 02/10/2022 20:56

He's a primary teacher. I take it you are in secondary? I think it is much harder to recruit for secondary.

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Well, in certain subjects at least. Better pay elsewhere using your maths, science, computing degrees etc.

Moonshine86 · 02/10/2022 20:58

I fully support the teacher strikes. Good luck!

Navigatingnewwaters · 02/10/2022 20:58

basilmint · 02/10/2022 20:52

Support staff are amazing and the pay is terrible. However, in every school I've worked in they are definitely (and quite rightly) out of the door at 3.15.

Many of our support staff are also in the NEU. They don't have to be in a separate union.

Again that is unusual for the area I’m from, no 3.15 finishes for support staff here.