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.

Loads of teachers have left now though and we have a huge shortage? How is that better than strikes.
So many children are being taught by TAs or just watching video lessons or being taught maths by the PE teacher. A Level subjects dropped midway through the course. Schools failing to recruit headteachers.
That's not giving anyone a better education, is it?

@Scooby1271 since you asked - yes.

There already is a crisis.

My yr 13 dd has had her A Level teaching hours cut by 6 hrs per fortnight!

23 teachers left her school at the end of last academic year. Most leaving teaching altogether or going into private schools. They have only managed to replace about a third of them and are advertising still.

This is a grammar school in a 'nice' area with motivated students and minimal behaviour issues.

I'm a primary teacher and left several years ago. I now only do occasional supply at my old school, on my terms. The lack of support from SLT, constant abuse from parents and lack of funding (including for teachers' pay) are the reasons why.

I do not support teacher strikes. They get paid more than nurses, have no shift work

Have the strikes so far any any positive impact on this cause? No. ( I’m fact I’d say that teachers lose more and more support every-time)

Does the detriment to children right now out weigh the progress of the cause? Yes.

Recruitment is a huge problem in all aspects of public sector, I’d just love it if teachers saw a wider picture and stopped always just jumping on people that see it from a more strategic perspective. Perhaps a joined up approach would have a better political impact and less negative impact on the people that need them.

No, not really. I've done my time correcting SPAG and there are several errors.

In any case I'm disinclined to debate with someone who also posts inaccuracies about the working conditions of teachers. It's really a waste of my time. It's my day off today and I think I can find better things to do.

I can certainly find fault with your SPAG, but as I said, there are several errors and I can't be bothered.

I'm not a teacher now. I'm self employed.

Have a pleasant day.

I’d just love it if teachers saw a wider picture and stopped always just jumping on people that see it from a more strategic perspective. Perhaps a joined up approach would have a better political impact and less negative impact on the people that need them.

I’m not a teacher but I asked you what you proposed and you said there probably wasn’t an answer and that teachers who don’t prioritise children over striking should leave.

You now seem to be suggesting that you have a strategic perspective that is leading to teachers attacking you.

I’m sure the teachers and their unions will be very interested to learn about your thoughts about strategising. That being said, I’ve a sneaking suspicion that your strategy to reduce negative impact involves “not striking where there’s any impact on anyone”, as per your first comment. Which is a nonsense, because in order to be effective a strike must cause some degree of inconvenience. You’re hardly going to convince anyone that your work is vital if withdrawing it makes no difference.

Hahahah sometimes it’s like talking to a cult when talking about teachers / teaching. People are so set in their views and everyone else is just wrong!

What I mean is, if teachers could see past their own immediate cause and join up with social workers, carers, health care assistants etc who also need better pay and conditions and funding and recruitment etc they might get better results? Instead they alienate and dismiss others as not being as hard done by as them ( even though many are in much worst positions)

Do I think there is a straightforward answer to please everyone in the short term? Probably not as I said. But there is more than one way to get to an outcome and I’d be much more supportive of non striking efforts.

As I said, and I’ll say again, strikes have made ZERO positive impact on the cause.

I am not a teacher but you have made several errors.

‘does have an affect’: effect*

‘them were out the gates’ : out of the gates*

‘I can guarantee you your not doing 70 hour’: you’re*

‘made an inpact’ : impact*

‘Here, here’: hear hear*

What I mean is, if teachers could see past their own immediate cause and join up with social workers, carers, health care assistants etc who also need better pay and conditions and funding and recruitment etc they might get better results? Instead they alienate and dismiss others as not being as hard done by as them ( even though many are in much worst positions

They do. There are days called “super strike” days for a reason, because the unions will co-ordinate their efforts to maximise their impact. Rallies and protests will usually see the various unions marching together.

That’s the thing about unions - it’s a socialist thing to want to work together in exactly the way you describe. I don’t know if the dismissal you’re talking about is MN posters or something else, but what you think should be happening… is happening.

‘Lot's of claims’: lots*

Let me know if you want me to continue.

When did you last hear about social workers going on strike?

Or carers?

Why are you wittering on about teacher strikes when we're not on strike?

What’s that got to do with the price of fish?

I thought your point was that teachers should support the strikes of carers and social workers in order to show solidarity and increase support for themselves. Now you’re suggesting that they never strike anyway, so how exactly does this “strategic perspective” work?

Hahahahah no. You’ve really missed the point.

Teachers should get together with others to find a joined up plan that actually works.