Does anyone NOT support teachers’ strikes?

[Notbeinggoadybut]

I’ve got mixed views. Support that they, as all public sector workers, need a pay rise. And schools need more funding (but the NEU hasn’t badged this as a public reason which is a mistake IMP).

But 12% is a lot when you’re on a £40k salary. The TA’s deserve 12%, the nurses and ambulance drivers with dire conditions and worse salaries deserve 12%. But not from a starting salary of £40k.

Also public services can be dire. I work in one, it can be bordering on a joke and in so many ways such a waste of money. I will be striking on the 1st of February. But I don’t think it’s right - I voted against the strike. I want a pay rise, but don’t feel like it’s right to ask for 10% and strike if I don’t get it.

Oh I'm sure those who don't support them will be along soon.

Have you felt the need to ask this about the other sectors on strike? Or do teachers need to be singled out for some reason?

I agree with their right to strike. So I support them striking. I agree with you that the union has missed the points that would have been really important within schools. Striking only over pay is short sighted, and not the sole issue they should specify.

I’m not on 40K…

I asked this many a time over rail staff, but that’s been going on since September, old news now. As mentioned I support nursery and ambulance workers.

I have DC in school and this is a parents’ board, so yes teachers are at the forefront of my mind.

40k?!

Starting salary begins at £28k not £40k Maximum starting salary for inner London IS £44K but most teachers don't work in inner London!

I’m not thrilled about it to be honest. I sure as hell won’t be getting a 12% pay rise this year and I’m going to have to juggle working and looking after a 4 year old, which I am not relishing the thought of!

I think that many (most?) public servants deserve a pay rise. But I also think that many (most?) public servants are disingenuous about their pay package. Pension entitlement (and therefore the link between pay rises and employer pension contributions and final pay out) is a big factor for many people in the public sector, which isn’t often brought into the argument.

I’d be in favour of withdrawing current public sector pension entitlements for new entrants, making them more in line with the private sector average and thus affording higher actual pay rises across the board whilst making pay rises both more transparent and more affordable because they don’t have to bake in long term actuarial calculations about defined benefit pension entitlements

Teachers aren't on a 40k salary though.... maybe if they teach at a private school but unfortunately the state schools teachers are relying on UC to top up their wages.....

I'm a public sector employee. We got 3.5% this year. I still support them

I dont think many teachers start on 40k do they? Actually the teachers I've spoken to are more concerned about the working conditions and the general impact the underfunding is having on schools (they aren't allowed to strike about the latter though).

Solidarity.

I’m a teacher (in a private school) and get £34k full time after twenty years of teaching! £40k starting salary?!

Teachers who have been through threshold (so teaching longer than six years) are on over £40,000.

How do you feel about the government implementing a turnout threshold (50% is higher than general elections... should they not count either?)

How about the (probably illegal) guidance they have issues to schools essentially telling headteachers to break strikes by bringing in supply (if they can find any without morals).

Now Gillian Keegan trying to paint the unions as acting illegally with notice periods (they're not).

The right to strike is under threat.

Oh and soon we won't have any more teachers.

YABVU.

How many years does it take to reach the £40k point?

@ComtesseDeSpair agree with some of what you’re saying as a public servant myself. I’m set to get 2% in April which is shite and could really do with more. However I still feel lucky, ish. Lots of flaws but lots of benefits like job security, excellent pension, excellent annual leave. 10% is a lot that’s being asked of. 5% would be good! And that’s what teachers have turned down, isn’t it?

Where do you get this information? I don’t think that’s accurate.

But OP, what do you mean by starting salary of 40K? Where did you get that from?

I support the strikes because I feel education in this country is severely lacking.

I do not support it because they want a payrise, we all want/need a payrise. Teachers aren't special in that regard.

But secondary schools especially are in need of more funding, I worry for our kids future. They are the most educationally disrupted children in living memory.

Do you have kids in schools?
Do you feel that education is in a good state at the moment?

Not sure where you get £40k as a starting point. I think starting salary is £28k. Which is hardly film star wages.

I support everyone’s right to withdraw their labour, on an individual basis, but am not generally in favour of strikes - haven’t ever done it, won’t now.

However having seen the amount of work teachers have to do outside of school, and when I see and hear of the behaviour of pupils and lack of support from parents, I am amazed anyone does this job voluntarily.

Teachers, Nurses, Ambulance workers, have my support.

I never said starting salary. Unless you enter at a senior level, I can’t think of any public sector jobs that start at £40k!

Sorry the first part of my post was about the UC being inaccurate.

Goady bollocks

I work in the public sector and we have had nowhere near the pay rise that teachers are asking for. I support their right to strike, in principle, but I don't think their work is more important that other public sector workers who have had much lower pay rises.

I'm also a bit sick of the fact that teachers are such martyrs about it all (especially on here) - yes it's probably a hard job and I sure as shit don't want to do it, but nobody is actually making them do it if they don't want to.