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Original poster

NEU tells teachers not to go to work on Monday

944 replies

Workyticket · 02/01/2021 13:24

skwawkbox.org/2021/01/02/breaking-union-tells-teachers-not-to-go-to-work-on-monday/

OP posts:
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6
TheEchtMeaningOfChristmas · 03/01/2021 07:54

NEU tells teachers not to go to work on Monday (thread title)

A lie. The NEU offered advice.

Pumpertrumper · 03/01/2021 08:09

I’m not usually a teacher defender and I must admit I was severely underwhelmed by the lack of effort made by so many during the first lockdown.

However, in this situation I find myself in total agreement with them. They are people, they have families, they have the right to a safe working environment.

They are not expendable and their lives/health are 100% more important than a parents ability to do their non essential job (no doubt from the safety of their own bloody home) in peace without having to ‘deal’ with the annoyance of having their own kids at home

If you’re not happy - complain to the government who are not providing teachers with a safe working environment!

stairway · 03/01/2021 08:54

The government will just gave to furlough parents then to allow them to teach their own children if this situation continues. Also anyone else in any other industry should be allowed to walk out on full pay if they feel conditions are unsafe.

Barbie222 · 03/01/2021 08:56

@stairway

The government will just gave to furlough parents then to allow them to teach their own children if this situation continues. Also anyone else in any other industry should be allowed to walk out on full pay if they feel conditions are unsafe.
Yes, both of those things are true. Childcare is an acceptable reason for furlough, and any employee can refuse to work under the same legislation.
CountessFrog · 03/01/2021 09:04

I work in NHS office which is supposedly covid safe, (half the desks removed, PPE), however 17 staff out of about 50 contracted covid from work, including my manager, who was really poorly.

We are frontline community staff, we see patients in the building, at home or on MS teams. I don’t think we’ve ever considered refusing to work due to unsafe conditions, though the covid outbreak demonstrated it’s unsafe. Im beginning to wonder whether our unions will back us up on refusing to work if the teaching unions do the same.

I can’t imagine we can be furloughed for childcare though, unless the government agreed. Woukd lead to massive issues with doctors, nurses unable to work but at home being paid.

Benjispruce2 · 03/01/2021 09:09

Children won’t stay in their desks though, especially little ones. Toilet accidents, constant opening and refilling water bottles that parents have tightly secured,tying shoe laces, playground bumps and scrapes to name but a few.
I don’t think they happens in the average office.

Benjispruce2 · 03/01/2021 09:09

That not they.

Wakeupin2022 · 03/01/2021 09:10

Im beginning to wonder whether our unions will back us up on refusing to work if the teaching unions do the same

I think the would have to as it applies to you too & a precedent has been set.

I would imagine that potentially it's of other essential services could go down the same route if they wish.

Barbie222 · 03/01/2021 09:12

I don’t think we’ve ever considered refusing to work due to unsafe conditions, though the covid outbreak demonstrated it’s unsafe.

Thing is, in terms of law, your office is safe because the mitigations were put in. The legal basis for the walkout is that despite clear scientific advice that schools need to close the Government have not acted, as the employer with responsibility. That's for a court to say. You certainly have the right to walk out but I don't think a lawyer would take your case on because the science was followed in your workplace.

A union can only advise on issues relating to its members, but the real truth is we are beyond worrying about what the risk is to individual teachers. Now we are into keeping the NHS and essential services going.

CountessFrog · 03/01/2021 09:12

Banji spruce, some of our staff have to physically touch children as part of their job. Teachers are not the only profession who might come within 2 metres of a child. I’m surprised that didn’t occur to you.

Barbie222 · 03/01/2021 09:13

I can’t imagine we can be furloughed for childcare though, unless the government agreed. Woukd lead to massive issues with doctors, nurses unable to work but at home being paid.

No, you can only be furloughed if your job does not need doing. It is why we are trying to protect key worker provision in schools.

Benjispruce2 · 03/01/2021 09:15

Oh please! Of course I’m not saying that. Not many are surrounded by 30 of them in an average room with the habits of young children on full show. If they are, they should be entitled to the same safety and ppe that school staff deserve.

SaltyAF · 03/01/2021 09:20

@CountessFrog

I work in NHS office which is supposedly covid safe, (half the desks removed, PPE), however 17 staff out of about 50 contracted covid from work, including my manager, who was really poorly.

We are frontline community staff, we see patients in the building, at home or on MS teams. I don’t think we’ve ever considered refusing to work due to unsafe conditions, though the covid outbreak demonstrated it’s unsafe. Im beginning to wonder whether our unions will back us up on refusing to work if the teaching unions do the same.

I can’t imagine we can be furloughed for childcare though, unless the government agreed. Woukd lead to massive issues with doctors, nurses unable to work but at home being paid.

Yes you're not seeing 200 non SD, maskless patients for an hour each per day though, are you @CountessFrog? Or do you care to correct me on that? Don't make disingenuous comparisons. They make you look a bit dim.

Also anyone else in any other industry should be allowed to walk out on full pay if they feel conditions are unsafe

Absolutely this. There is no chance I would go to work at my local Tesco for NMW at the moment and I think it's scandalous that noone gives a shit about this either.

BunsyGirl · 03/01/2021 09:20

When schools were shut last year SOME teachers were arguing that they couldn’t provide online teaching for safeguarding reasons. I have now witnessed one of those teachers sharing a petition for schools to move to online learning. Is it any wonder there’s “teacher bashing” going on?!

SaltyAF · 03/01/2021 09:22

@CountessFrog

Banji spruce, some of our staff have to physically touch children as part of their job. Teachers are not the only profession who might come within 2 metres of a child. I’m surprised that didn’t occur to you.
Again, 200 per day, every day?
Benjispruce2 · 03/01/2021 09:24

I’m in primary and work in every bubble as I cover other staff so that they can plan. The bubble model is a joke!

Positivevibesonlyplease · 03/01/2021 09:25

@DrRamsesEmerson

FGS. I didn’t think my opinion of the teaching unions could sink further.
They are protecting their members and our children. My opinion of them has risen considerably.
SaltyAF · 03/01/2021 09:27

@BunsyGirl

When schools were shut last year SOME teachers were arguing that they couldn’t provide online teaching for safeguarding reasons. I have now witnessed one of those teachers sharing a petition for schools to move to online learning. Is it any wonder there’s “teacher bashing” going on?!
That is what we were told at the time. The curriculum was suspended, resources were unavailable and until that point we had always been told in no uncertain terms, no online contact with children, for very obvious safeguarding reasons. I actually had a colleague targeted as the victim of online abuse by a pupil last year, so you can imagine the reluctance.

Anyway, a massive shift of mindset later and it is now what has to be done, despite no further investment in tech or training (there's no money).

Just a reminder, I've said it before. There's no point in hostile teacher bashers getting themselves stressed and angry on here any more. That you think school staff should continue to go to work in person and unprotected speaks volumes about you, and no-one gives a monkeys what you think.

Positivevibesonlyplease · 03/01/2021 09:30

@SecretSpAD

I'm a public health doctor who has spent several months working with schools this year.

They need to close for a while and the time that they are closed needs to be used to ensure that they really are covid secure - because they aren't at the moment.

It is good to see that more parents are now supporting teachers and believing them when they say that children are spreading this virus (for those who believe otherwise - have you met a child?).

I have not met a teacher yet who wasn't worried about the impact of disruption to childrens education. However, we are in unprecedented times and we need to take steps to prevent further spread of this virus.

It's killing people.

Thank you for your expertise, calm and common sense. Please read this, everyone and take note! However much we want schools to open and children to be educated face to face, it is not safe to do so. That’s the bottom line.
Barbie222 · 03/01/2021 09:32

@BunsyGirl

When schools were shut last year SOME teachers were arguing that they couldn’t provide online teaching for safeguarding reasons. I have now witnessed one of those teachers sharing a petition for schools to move to online learning. Is it any wonder there’s “teacher bashing” going on?!
It was the parents at my school rather than the teachers who weren't on board with life zooming into their homes. Most of them still aren't. Now, it's mostly because it's not convenient and they have two or more children, but back in March we had a lot of strong letters about privacy and safeguarding too. Online doesn't mean live. Ofsted don't mandate live lessons for this reason.
Barbie222 · 03/01/2021 09:33

I really am a bit embarrassed being a parent when I read some of these posts, starting to feel like we deserve some of the bashing we get from the red tops!

rrra · 03/01/2021 09:37

When I looked yesterday, furlough for child care purposes was removed from the guidance page about whether you could be considered for furlough by your employer. This makes it v difficult for me to make a case.

itsgettingweird · 03/01/2021 09:38

Boris has just admitted on AM show that they don't yet know that tier 4 and schools opening will be enough.

BunsyGirl · 03/01/2021 09:38

@SaltyAF you need to step away, calm down and think about how your aggressive language shows teachers in a poor light and that you will lose public support as a result of it, not gain it.

Lots of schools provided excellent remote learning provision last year but lots didn’t. If all schools had provided good quality remote learning then I am sure that teachers would have much more support for shutting schools now. That’s one of the key issues here. Parents have lost trust. They don’t believe that their children will receive a good level of education if schools are closed.

Chel098 · 03/01/2021 09:40

@rrra

When I looked yesterday, furlough for child care purposes was removed from the guidance page about whether you could be considered for furlough by your employer. This makes it v difficult for me to make a case.
I’m not surprised there will be a lot of parents needing furlough if they apply based on the grounds of childcare.