Today we strike

[Perfect28]

Aibu to ask you to support all striking workers today? Please do, however you can.

@slowingdownagain oh absolutely these strikes are about more than just pay! The pay is important and does need looking at- (I'm in a two teacher household, one child- can't make ends meet) but it's absolutely not the whole picture. Schools are in an absolute shambolic state.

So what are your solutions ?

But today they are striking about a dispute over pay right? Why not frame it around working conditions (being overworked, etc)? Unless you think more money for teachers will fix it?

Genuine question.

@rumship I directly asked you if you think there's a problem in the education system and if you do, what do you think should be done about it. It's fine if you don't have a fully fleshed out response or much time to type it, but you're directly avoiding the questions.

@Slowingdownagain
Watch this. So eloquently stated.
twitter.com/lorraine/status/1620723940032126977?s=46&t=ppHI-2XuPpTz5t-wPDmLNA

And the reason I asked it btw, is that I think the focus on money makes people less sympathetic. Everyone is feeling the pinch and is being denied paycuts. So a strike about money in the current climate is for some maybe more difficult to get behind.

There are only certain reasons a union can ballot for strike action, general conditions isn't one, but the attention from the industrial action gives a platform for people to discuss the poor conditions.

More money would help to attract the best staff, stop teachers having to work second jobs, give us a bit more money in our pockets to buy all the resources we need but aren't given, but the money needs to be fully funded so it doesn't come out of school budgets. Schools need more staff to reduce overall workload. Schools need more money for safe estates, pencils in art, school trips, decent food lunches and yes good teachers (and support staff).

Ah ok. I think there's a bit of a public perception issue with the strike then, for the reason explained above. But of course if you are limited in what it can be about perhaps it's difficult to make it any other way.

Certainly I've heard people IRL saying things along the lines of "12%?! I won't even get 1% this year, we have a pay freeze" etc.

But why are others accepting poor pay? They have swallowed the line that 'there's no more money'. Meanwhile the rich get richer and richer.

a 12% payrise for teachers won't buy more pencils, unless the teachers are buying them themselves (which they might be but shouldn't be) though. I agree with everything you are saying, including better pay for teachers, but I am just not sure it's coming across as being about that to everyone.

Well I can tell you that I am buying pencils. And I'm far far from alone. I could just not... But then we wouldn't have pencils. It is unacceptable and it's a big reason I'm striking.

Becuase they are scared to lose their jobs and need to pay the bills? Because they don't have unions? Because they are underskilled and can't find anything else? Because the tide is turning on the job seekers market (at least in some industries) due to the economic pressures, with hiring freezes and mass layoffs?

Well, I assume you aren't paying for estate upkeep :)

Like I say, I agree with all your points - and actively dislike race to the bottom mentality - but I assume some are unsupportive because it just sounds like a money grabbing exercise when lots of people are struggling.

I see, thank you, very informative. I’ve found it so irritating that the government focus and a lot of msm reporting surrounding various strikes has been on pay. So, for instance, how the postal strike was billed as being about pay, leading a lot of people to noise off about how the postal workers aren’t badly paid, when the real, and most important issue, was the utterly unacceptable changes to working conditions and the service. It’s certainly an effective divide and conquer strategy though, as can be evidenced on this thread, sadly.

Are the nurses money grabbers too ?

No way do I support strikes - holding the country to ransom. Sod off, teachers moaned about how their dear little pupils missed out so much schooling with lockdowns. Now your selfishness and greed causes then to miss out again! Pure Hypocrisy

Would you like to me to ask you for solutions to my job? why is it my responsibility to look for solutions in your field? I'm not avoiding your question it's not my responsibility to fix a field you chose to join and be part off. I train others in my field and do it because I feel they are worth my time and don't get any extra pay for it. I don't walk out I actually do something rather than moan its not fair......

I do have an issue with people walking out on the job and asking people to support them. What support are you providing to parents you are putting out and the students that are not getting an education today.

The education system has always been broken, I left many many years ago with aero qualifications, because the school system was shocking. I have since then in my adult life invested in getting the training and skills I needed and got a decent career.

Anyone in the UK can join a union and is protected by law. Yes, people feel vulnerable I get that. Public sector jobs are more secure (or traditionally have been, academisation is trashing that in education). I still don't understand why we are so pitted against each other though.

I don't think either teachers or nurses are. I am talking about public perception.

Yes, but they don't. And therefore - excluding certain well represented industries or sectors - they aren't much use.

I agree, it shouldn't be like that. But I am afraid I think it probably is. At least a bit. The last few years hasn't been easy on most people, and that makes people defensive and selfinterested.

And just to add, you see it on both sides don't you?

As I said, I am arguing that it is right. But I can see why perhaps not all people feel the sympathy for the strikes that they deserve.

Jeez typo - NOT arguing it is right.

What support are you providing to parents you are putting out and the students that are not getting an education today.

Actually, the teachers walking out today are providing far more support to parents and pupils than many, many others, because they are still in the job and will be back in work tomorrow. Unlike thousands of other, now ex-teachers.

Are you going to berate the ones who quit?

I don't know what your field is, it would be interesting to know. The reason that everyone has a stake in schools and teachers is because ultimately it affects all of society. Even if you don't have children, or you put yours through the private system we all live in a society which relies on educated workers.