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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed about this strike?

80 replies

muggglewump · 18/08/2008 18:31

The dinner ladies at my daughter's school are striking this week, I found out via my neighbour reading on big signs outside the school advising parents they need to send their DC in with a packed lunch.
I can only assume it's over pay and/or conditions but really, the first week back at school?

OP posts:
Whizzz · 18/08/2008 20:02

yes but they have a right that their minimum wage matches inflation & everything else going up in price around it.

Bubble99 · 18/08/2008 20:04

In the public sector, yes - they do.

Original poster
muggglewump · 18/08/2008 20:05

I don't buy papers or watch much TV news.
Should I so I'm always equipped with a packed lunch for DD?

OP posts:
Bubble99 · 18/08/2008 20:10

In the private sector they'll either be sacked for being crap at their job, or the whole thing goes out of business.

I've worked in both and, while in the public sector, took a lot of (fully paid by you - the tax-payer) time off sick. I was also fully-paid for being crap at my job for a while.

I disagree with 'across the board' public sector pay rises.

Original poster
muggglewump · 18/08/2008 20:11

Can I just say, I wasn't questioning the rights or wrongs of striking, it was a personal rant at the school that DD attends. I have no wish to get involved in polotics.

OP posts:
Bubble99 · 18/08/2008 20:12

Oooh! Go on, mugglewump.

TenaciousG · 18/08/2008 20:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsMuddle · 18/08/2008 20:57

Mugglewump, are you sure there isn't a note in the depths of her bag? DS has just produced two forms from his that had to be signed and returned by 20th June.

So, no locker again this year for him, I guess.

pointydog · 18/08/2008 20:58

muddle, there is not going to be a note in her bag about a atrike confirmed at the end of last week - lol

pointydog · 18/08/2008 20:59

muggle - when your child is off ill or injured, do you tell her she's not getting any lunch because she did not warn you of her impending absence in good time?

fryalot · 18/08/2008 21:06

you know, there is really no point whatsoever in people striking if it doesn't affect anyone.

They may as well threaten to tickle someone with a damp feather.

Make some butties

Bronze · 18/08/2008 21:10

I didn't know there was going to be a strike. I do see some news but most has been Olympics or Georgia. Isn't it a good thing DS won't be back next week.
Fair enough strike but isn't it a bit off when children could be arriving at school and ending up with no lunch.

PootyApplewater · 18/08/2008 21:11

lol @ squonk

MrsMuddle · 18/08/2008 21:46

We got a note home today. Seriously, check the bag. All nurseries, primaries and secondaries in esat dunbartonshire are closed.

falcon · 18/08/2008 21:53

East Dunbartonshire too? Shows how much attention I pay to local news.

falcon · 18/08/2008 21:54

Or national news I should say.

Aimsmum · 18/08/2008 21:56

Message withdrawn

chelsygirl · 18/08/2008 21:59

are Glasgow schools closed Aimsmum? East Ren aren't.

Twinklemegan · 18/08/2008 22:00

It's not just dinner ladies, lollypop people, and the like you know. It's blardy hard working, low paid professionals getting shafted as well. But the assumption that it's only the former classes of worker is precisely the reason I am not in a union and will not be striking. Nobody, not the public or the unions, cares about the rest of us - doing a bloody good job and going way beyond the call of duty for precious little reward.

Aefondkiss · 18/08/2008 22:03

I have googled local newspapers and the council but there is no news to say Moray schools will be closed, that I can find, my two are back at school tomorrow, so we should know more then?

Aimsmum · 18/08/2008 22:05

Message withdrawn

Bubble99 · 18/08/2008 22:06

Not all of them are bloody hard working low paid people.

Some of them are lazy arses with a bad attitude. Should they get a pay rise as a matter of course?

Disciplinary procedures are lax to say the least in the public sector, IME. So the 'if they were that bad they'd be sacked' argument doesn't work.

As I've said before, I've seen enough public sector workers doing a minimum of work for a minimum wage to believe that across the board pay rises shouldn't happen.

Twinklemegan · 18/08/2008 22:14

See you're still talking about the minimum wage end. What about planners, legal officers, social workers, etc. etc. Workloads are so huge you wouldn't believe and they get cr*pped on from a great height by all and sundry every day.

Also do bear in mind that once you reach the top of your pay scale, the annual pay award is the only pay rise you're ever going to get. Fine if you're in a job where there's somewhere to go. Not so great if the next step is the one and only manager's job which isn't going to be vacant for the next 10 years.

I do take your point about across the board pay rises, and some people certainly do take the p*ss, but there simply is no provision for pay awards by merit in the public sector. And never likely to be, since a large portion of the public seem to be pretty appalled that we're paid any kind of living wage at their expense!

Bubble99 · 18/08/2008 22:18

Conditions are good in the state sector compared to private though, aren't they?

Sick and maternity pay is good (a lot of private sector is just stat for both) - plus holiday entitlement?

Swings and roundabouts, I'd say

PinkyDinkyDooToo · 18/08/2008 22:20

DS starts P1 tomorrow, I can't find anything to say the school is closed on Wednesday but will be annoyed if I find out tomorrow that it will be.

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