Don't want to join the teaching strike

[SweetRascal]

I'm a primary school teacher of 12 years and with the NEU. For my own reasons, I don't want to vote yes to striking but will this be judged negatively by other teachers? I just don't feel comfortable with the disruption it causes.

That's shocking, @Workyticket
I know we were told that even if it was a different teaching union that was on strike (and so we were in) we should not cover for a striking colleague. That was low.

You need to change union to a non striking one.

Of course they know. They themselves are in the same union/s (2 big unions here- 99% of people are in these) and go to the meetings in school so know who's in which. It's very openly discussed all around the school 'See you on the picket line tomorrow ' etc.

I can imagine striking Trades Unionists being pissed off that members of the same union refuse to abide by the collective action to improve working conditions and pay. They are treating the union like a personal insurance policy and taking the benefits fought for by striking union members with no loss to themselves in pay.

I bet they did (wished that). Much easier to carry on as normal, not losing any pay, or standing on a cold picket line, whilst you and your colleagues fought for the benefits they received too 🤬

Move to a non striking union.
Re. strikes=disruption, that’s the point. It is a way to be heard and a voice that has some hope of being listened to.

Any recommendations?

👏 👏 👏

We talk about this at work a lot, we are in a LA

I actually think work to rule, coming in on time, leaving on time, taking a lunch break would be much much more effective than striking

Strking causes a few days of disruption, causes resentment among the rest of the public, often losing support and overall is genrally ignored

A work to rule shows so much more clearly how a service is completely and utterly broken, fallen apart. Its time the answer started being 'no I cant do that, I cant meet those timescales, I cant attend that meeting, I cant do that referral' etc

None of us have been able to do it though, too conscientious.

Exactly right, only those not in a union at all can be asked to cover for striking colleagues, and even then can refuse.

As previous posters have said, it is your decision and people will respect you as long as you own it but please consider whether you want to join a non-stiking union if this is how you feel - will make things less awkward with colleagues moving forward.

We (NAS and NUT joint action) did work to rule for ages in the Gove era, in fact not sure if or when it stopped?

No fucker noticed, pointless waste of time. Our contracts mean we have to work ridiculous hours so the best we could actually manage to implement was no lunchtime meetings.

I know two teachers who have been asked to leave unions for not striking. I don't know what the NEU's policy is.

Yes, I'd imagine that being part of a union and not striking with the rest of your union will be seen negatively by your colleagues. You are free to make your own choice, but you can't make others think it isn't a selfish choice.

www.edapt.org.uk/subscriptions/full-subscription/?coupon-code=REFSA7PMUUARM

This is a referral code for edapt x

I'm a member of the RMT. Colleagues of mine who don't like striking join the TSSA.

I do think negatively of people who cross picket lines, but I don't freeze them out. I'm just interested in why. The withdrawal of labour is a fundamental democratic right, and a tool to improve one's lot. The idea of being in a union is for collective bargaining and to present to unified front to the employer. "Unity is strength" as we RMT lot say.

Voting no is private. Not taking part is private. Crossing a picket line is very much a public act (unless there's a way round the back). Think carefully, OP.

Edapt is a non-union subscription legal services.

Community used to be Voice and no strike, not sure on their current policy but I haven’t been balloted.

I was really annoyed when ATL joined with the NUT. I don't want to strike so I am now looking at a different union. It's not fair on the children and makes teachers look shit

The current education system isn’t fair on the children and teachers look shit anyway. I really think we have nothing to lose.

makes teachers look shit

Compared to everyone else who is currently out on strike? Nurses? Ambulance workers? Driving examiners? Train drivers?

I think the 'teachers look shit for striking' would be a heavily diluted message in the current climate.

It was on the ballot paper this time too. Action short of strike action.
We’ve tried it before. Too many say that doing the club/display/whatever is essential and they won’t give it up.
Teachers are their own worst enemy.

My husband has been treated awfully but isn't allowed strike. Strikes do no good. I initially had sympathy with train drivers but I'm now fed up with them due to the impact on my daughter's education.

@cardibach if strikes worked then maybe but they don't. They will not result in a pay rise. Teachers are already thought of as lazy and this just adds to it.

While there are lots of reasons why some people won’t strike, it’s not going to endear you to those of your colleagues who do. If you want the benefit of the power of a union but don’t want to join in collective action the union decides on, you’re a bit of a free loader.

EDAPT is the only one as far as I'm aware.

As you can tell from this thread, emotions are likely to run high. Though I have joined teachers strikes in the past, with experience I've learned to respect other people's feelings on the subject.

But I do think that both morally, and for your own sake, you need to join EDAPT.
Its members might not be loved by other union members, but your colleagues will be a lot more annoyed if you're a member of a striking union, and still go into work.

Teachers aren’t lazy though, so that’s irrelevant. If you’re happy with the current education your kids are getting then you’re not paying attention.