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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Scottish teachers pay offer

272 replies

GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:10

AIBU to think that it’s not really an improved offer, and that 12% over 2 years is overall a worse deal than 10% in one year, and that they are only making this offer to delay strikes?

(reported on BBC News here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-64642699)

OP posts:
miniaturepixieonacid · 14/02/2023 21:17

I suppose it kind of depends if you're an instant or a delayed gratification kind of person. If the latter then it's a little better but not a whole lot in it.

Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:17

I thought it wasn't about pay?

What are the govt doing to fix the issues teachers say it's really about?

Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:19

miniaturepixieonacid · 14/02/2023 21:17

I suppose it kind of depends if you're an instant or a delayed gratification kind of person. If the latter then it's a little better but not a whole lot in it.

That’s true. The thing is, lots of us are struggling financially now, and 6% is not significantly better than 5%, considering we have lost several days wages so far (my losses amount to more than 1% of my salary)

OP posts:
CherLloydbyCherLloyd · 14/02/2023 21:20

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:22

Oh right.

So Scottish teachers aren't overworked and leaving in droves because of terrible behavioural issues etc?

They just want more money?

Clem90 · 14/02/2023 21:22

I don’t think you can expect the deal to take into consideration wages lost through choosing to strike?

noblegiraffe · 14/02/2023 21:23

I’d be totally suspecting the govt to say next year inflation has dropped so you’d only be getting 2% therefore guaranteeing 5% next year is actually worth something.

Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:24

Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:22

Oh right.

So Scottish teachers aren't overworked and leaving in droves because of terrible behavioural issues etc?

They just want more money?

They are.

But they are striking for more pay.

OP posts:
Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:25

Are the Scottish govt doing anything to address the other stuff?

Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:26

Clem90 · 14/02/2023 21:22

I don’t think you can expect the deal to take into consideration wages lost through choosing to strike?

No, they don’t. But what I mean is it seems reasonable to hold out for 10% in one year, to settle on 12% over two years would mean being significantly out of pocket this financial year, with no real gains to be made until at least April next year.

I don’t particularly think it’s a bad offer, but it isn’t what I expected.

OP posts:
Badbudgeter · 14/02/2023 21:27

Do you think if you go through with the next round of strikes costing you another 1% or so you will get a dramatic increase above 7%? I don’t think so but willing to be told I’m wrong.

Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:30

noblegiraffe · 14/02/2023 21:23

I’d be totally suspecting the govt to say next year inflation has dropped so you’d only be getting 2% therefore guaranteeing 5% next year is actually worth something.

We were supposed to get a pay rise in April 2021 but this didn’t actually hit my account until the November, and was swallowed up because it pushed me over into the 40% tax threshold, increased my pension contribution (as a percentage - I moved into the next band) and it put me onto a bracket that I paid student loan contributions. I also got my maternity holiday pay in that wage, coincidentally. I have little faith that my wage would increase when it was supposed to!

OP posts:
Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:34

Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:25

Are the Scottish govt doing anything to address the other stuff?

Don’t be silly! Of course not!

The retention crisis is not as acute here - the issue is actually getting a job. Most people end up doing supply work for years before anyone actually employs them. They train too many teachers in the central belt, when really they need jobs in remote schools.

They need to incentivise working outside the central belt. I couldn’t afford to move to where the jobs are (because we had family support for childcare here; if we moved we would need to pay for nursery, plus have the associated costs of moving) so I was stuck doing supply work for 5 years.

OP posts:
Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:35

Badbudgeter · 14/02/2023 21:27

Do you think if you go through with the next round of strikes costing you another 1% or so you will get a dramatic increase above 7%? I don’t think so but willing to be told I’m wrong.

I’d be happy to sacrifice the extra 2% for a single year pay deal, personally.

OP posts:
Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:38

So will the extra pay make the other stuff OK?

Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:44

Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:38

So will the extra pay make the other stuff OK?

No, but this is purely a pay dispute. No other discussions are on the table at this time, from either side.

I don’t mind working the hours I work if the pay is worth it. Right now my hourly wage is roughly £16/hr. If I get the 10% pay rise, my hourly rate will be £17.60 per hour, which is more palatable.

OP posts:
MountedbyHarryWindsor · 14/02/2023 21:45

I used to work in the public sector in a role that involved me going into Scottish secondary schools nearly every day for 20 years. So I saw and heard from them what it was like, nearly every day for those 20 years....and I have zero sympathy.
After 20 years I'd had enough of it, and left my job for something lower paid but much more satisfying, rewarding and with nicer people.
I was so sick of listening to people moaning about their pay and conditions without a single thought about who they were speaking to and what that person was getting paid. They were so self centred and stuck in their own bubble.
and now I see teachers moaning about losing pay through the strikes?
FUCK OFF.

Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:52

MountedbyHarryWindsor · 14/02/2023 21:45

I used to work in the public sector in a role that involved me going into Scottish secondary schools nearly every day for 20 years. So I saw and heard from them what it was like, nearly every day for those 20 years....and I have zero sympathy.
After 20 years I'd had enough of it, and left my job for something lower paid but much more satisfying, rewarding and with nicer people.
I was so sick of listening to people moaning about their pay and conditions without a single thought about who they were speaking to and what that person was getting paid. They were so self centred and stuck in their own bubble.
and now I see teachers moaning about losing pay through the strikes?
FUCK OFF.

The thing is, all my friends who are teachers support raising wages for others. I’m not sure of your exact role that would involve you having detailed knowledge of what a teachers job is if you aren’t actually a teacher? Anyway, we aren’t really looking for public support, we are looking for fair pay - if you think £16/hr is fair for someone with the level of education and training needed to be a teacher, then you are entitled to think that way. No need to get nasty though - maybe the teachers sensed your nasty attitude?

OP posts:
Randobelia · 14/02/2023 21:53

How many hours do you work each week?How many are you contracted to work?

Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:55

If teachers get 12% then I hope nurses (who were offered 7) get 15

SomePosters · 14/02/2023 21:56

I thought teachers unions weren’t allowed to strike over conditions

It was part of declawing the unions when the tories realised that co-ordinated strikes by the working class really could bring the country to a stand still.

Anyway op… I think you deserve a pay that reflects the skill and responsibilities which even at £17.60 (contracted hours not inc the unpaid overtime required to do the job to a the high standard children’s deserve) is a joke.

Like your user name… gneiss is a particularly lovely rock… are you a geography teacher?

Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 21:58

Randobelia · 14/02/2023 21:53

How many hours do you work each week?How many are you contracted to work?

Contracted to work 21, normally work at least 30. When I’m full time (which is most of the time) I’m contracted for 35 but normally work 50.

Typically a working day is 10 hours.

I’d say I’m average in terms of workload - less than many of my colleagues, but I have been teaching for quite a while so have a larger bank of resources and I’m maybe slightly faster at marking past papers because I know the marking schemes inside out since I have marked for the SQA for years.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 14/02/2023 21:58

I thought teachers weren’t really stroking over pay? At least that’s what everyone keeps saying when it’s pointed out that teachers salaries aren’t actually that bad. 6% each year for two years is more than a lot of people are getting.

DazzlePaintedBattlePants · 14/02/2023 21:58

I also thought that teachers can only strike about pay, so it has to be a proxy for other issues. The conditions are now so rubbish the pay needs to move substantially, especially if the cost of living has skyrocketed.

Original poster
GneissGuysFinishLast · 14/02/2023 22:01

Botw1 · 14/02/2023 21:55

If teachers get 12% then I hope nurses (who were offered 7) get 15

Teachers are generally supportive (not speaking for everyone but speaking for those who I’ve personally discussed this with, and myself) of the NHS pay dispute. I support them getting what they feel is fair. There are issues in nursing too. From speaking to friends who are nurses, their strike is about a lot more than pay though, isn’t it?

OP posts: