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Original poster

Parents - how do you feel about teaching unions?

359 replies

Musicaldilemma · 27/01/2021 19:39

Following various exchanges in real life and on here, I was wondering what other parents currently feel and think of teaching unions? Do you know a lot about them? What do you feel their role is and should be in this pandemic? If you are able to, please clarify if you are a parent married to a teacher or teacher parent. Or just a parent like myself with a few friends who are teachers. I was interested to see that teaching unions in Switzerland, for example, really pushed the message that schools must be and stay open for children’s mental health.

OP posts:
BertNErnie · 27/01/2021 20:10

@katedan

I think they are doing significant damage to the reputation of the teaching profession, after the many strikes in the 80s teachers were seen as work shy and lazy in the last 40 years most people had a lot of respect for teachers and the tough job they do but the unions have made teachers a laughing stock again and you see far more teacher bashing again. I cant believe any teacher who cares about the kids they teach and their welfare would choose to not be in school currently especially those who teach the exam years who will know that following their union and refusing to work will have a massive impact on the childrens futures! For those who think the unions are doing the right thing you need to get out of teaching and retrain as you are in the wrong job!!
No union I know has told their members not to work?

I'm certainly in school teaching pupils. 95% of my colleagues are too.

lunalucie · 27/01/2021 20:11

Jealous. I wish we had one that would fight for us like they do in retail.

Monkeytennis97 · 27/01/2021 20:11

@Carlislemumof4 'safe' means,I would imagine, that rates are equivalent to when we all went back in September (about 1 in 1000) whereas at the moment it's 1 in 55.

noblegiraffe · 27/01/2021 20:12

I read the NEU's statement earlier after Boris' mention of the 8th March. It just came across as designed to block the reopening of schools.

"Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: 'If we come out too early, we will end up in lockdown again.'

'We all want schools to open, but like the Prime Minister we want them to open when it is safe to do so. This has to be done sustainably and safely,' she continued.

We agree with Boris Johnson that this is a balancing act. He has a duty to assess the easing of lockdown according to the progress and effects of vaccination, a reduction in cases and the various other criteria he has set out.

'But in setting out a potential date of March 8, falling once again into his characteristic and too often misplaced optimism, he is pre-empting a decision that will have to be made in mid-February at the very earliest.'

The NEU added: 'To suggest a date at this stage runs the risk of creating false hope. The Prime Minister may now be immune to the embarrassment of U-turns, but school leaders, teachers and support staff, not to mention families and students, are utterly exhausted by them.' ""

What you mean is that the Daily Mail told you that it was the unions blocking the re-opening of schools and you believed them.

The statement is clearly agreeing with Johnson that 8th March is provisional on the data and may have to be moved, and that setting a date that may have to change is not good for the mental health for teachers, parents and students.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 27/01/2021 20:12

in the last 40 years most people had a lot of respect for teachers and the tough job they do

Haha, that is not true. It's the media.

noblegiraffe · 27/01/2021 20:14

I wish we had one that would fight for us like they do in retail.

What exactly have the teaching unions achieved? They're supposed to be all-powerful and yet teachers dutifully went back to school in September with no mitigation measures - not even masks in corridors at the time.

And it turned out to be a disaster. As was entirely predictable.

ShiteningMcQueen · 27/01/2021 20:16

I think as a parent OP, you should just be grateful that someone, somewhere is looking out for the interests of teachers and students (and therefore the overall safety of kids at school) by standing up against the govt and just accept therefore that teaching unions exist and are doing their job.

Best you don't interfere in something you clearly don't understand, eh?

lunalucie · 27/01/2021 20:16

@noblegiraffe I'm not just thinking about the pandemic I'm thinking in general. Teachers unions have always been very vocal about what they want for their members regardless if you agree with it or not.

noblegiraffe · 27/01/2021 20:17

Teachers unions have always been very vocal about what they want for their members

Well that is literally their job. What members pay their subs for.

However, it has made fuck-all difference in general.

OverTheRainbowLiesOz · 27/01/2021 20:17

Support unions in general. Workplace rights and safety are important. I do not trust this Government in that area.

katedan · 27/01/2021 20:18

@bertNernie they have told their members to not attend school buildings, I know some staff are in but it was pressure from the unions that closed the schools and will not let them reopen, there is some excellent teachers out there who understand the impact and want schools open but it is noticable how the teaching profession is no longer considered in such high regard as it was a year ago, frontline workers do not get to choose to stay home and stay safe, there is a risk on all public facing jobs.

Carlislemumof4 · 27/01/2021 20:21

@noblegiraffe

I read the NEU's statement earlier after Boris' mention of the 8th March. It just came across as designed to block the reopening of schools.

"Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: 'If we come out too early, we will end up in lockdown again.'

'We all want schools to open, but like the Prime Minister we want them to open when it is safe to do so. This has to be done sustainably and safely,' she continued.

We agree with Boris Johnson that this is a balancing act. He has a duty to assess the easing of lockdown according to the progress and effects of vaccination, a reduction in cases and the various other criteria he has set out.

'But in setting out a potential date of March 8, falling once again into his characteristic and too often misplaced optimism, he is pre-empting a decision that will have to be made in mid-February at the very earliest.'

The NEU added: 'To suggest a date at this stage runs the risk of creating false hope. The Prime Minister may now be immune to the embarrassment of U-turns, but school leaders, teachers and support staff, not to mention families and students, are utterly exhausted by them.' ""

What you mean is that the Daily Mail told you that it was the unions blocking the re-opening of schools and you believed them.

The statement is clearly agreeing with Johnson that 8th March is provisional on the data and may have to be moved, and that setting a date that may have to change is not good for the mental health for teachers, parents and students.

No, I mean I read that exact statement on the guardian website and they are clearly determined to keep school closures in place well in to the summer term.

How about 'we wish to work with the Dfe to get children back in to the classroom on or as soon after the 8th March as possible, their welfare is paramount. We'll be calling for teachers to be prioritised for the vaccines and masks in classrooms to increase the safety of our members'.

CountessFrog · 27/01/2021 20:22

I’m a parent. We are both NHS. I have friends who are teachers.

I think the unions have given teachers a bad name. I think teaching has come off very badly.

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 27/01/2021 20:22

100% support them in supporting their member's rights to safe working conditions.

I also want my kids to be back in school as soon as is safely possible, for everyone.

notevenat20 · 27/01/2021 20:22

I don't feel the teachers unions have the education of children as a high priority. I also found them defensive and defeatist in ways that make any improvement in education in Britain hard to achieve.

MNnicknameforCVthreads · 27/01/2021 20:23

I’m afraid I don’t have a good impression of unions, including teaching unions. My experience is that they are obstructive and also make unrealistic demands in often an unprofessional/antagonistic fashion.

lunalucie · 27/01/2021 20:24

@noblegiraffe you've obviously never had the pleasure of trying to work with Usdaw, it makes you wonder why you pay each month. Sadly all unions are not equal in value for money.

SionnachRua · 27/01/2021 20:25

Looking at it as an outsider, your teaching unions seem quite weak tbqh. Amused to see them described as far left!

I'm always confused to see that people think teachers unions should prioritise children. Not saying that they shouldn't support kids needs but surely their first duty is to the people that pay them to be represented...their members. That is only right.

FfsDoE · 27/01/2021 20:26

I detest unions, teachers’ unions as much as any other. They hinder progress and development, and are deeply associated with Labour which makes me distrust their motives ie they are politically motivated, not for the good of the teacher or pupil. Who is standing up for the children in all this? They have no advocate in this situation.

noblegiraffe · 27/01/2021 20:26

they are clearly determined to keep school closures in place well in to the summer term.

People seem to forget that it was Johnson who closed schools, and Johnson who decided not to re-open them after half term because it's not safe to do so.

OverTheRainbowLiesOz · 27/01/2021 20:28

Actually they are paid by members to represent them in terms of workplace safety and rights.

noblegiraffe · 27/01/2021 20:28

you've obviously never had the pleasure of trying to work with Usdaw, it makes you wonder why you pay each month.

I'm in the NASUWT - they have written some stern tweets this pandemic.

OppsUpsSide · 27/01/2021 20:33

I’m with NASUWT and am very happy with how they have managed this. I’m glad I’m not NEU but I know many who are and not one of them followed their advice at the beginning of Jan.

Chosennone · 27/01/2021 20:37

Unions fight for their members ish.
They can see the issues in the profession and the huge retention and recruitment problem. Sadly many parents can not 🤷‍♀️

starrynight19 · 27/01/2021 20:40

@katedan

I think they are doing significant damage to the reputation of the teaching profession, after the many strikes in the 80s teachers were seen as work shy and lazy in the last 40 years most people had a lot of respect for teachers and the tough job they do but the unions have made teachers a laughing stock again and you see far more teacher bashing again. I cant believe any teacher who cares about the kids they teach and their welfare would choose to not be in school currently especially those who teach the exam years who will know that following their union and refusing to work will have a massive impact on the childrens futures! For those who think the unions are doing the right thing you need to get out of teaching and retrain as you are in the wrong job!!
I am in school full time teaching. My union hasn’t stopped that.