Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

What to do about the strike?

45 replies

pugsandseals · 23/11/2011 16:31

Teachers come help please!!!

I'm a teacher who works for the county and am due in 4 different schools next Weds to teach lessons which parents have paid for. Official line is that we charge the schools if we are not striking ourselves & they are closed. However, I don't think it is fair that pupils may not get a lesson they have paid for so am trying to liase with the schools so that if they are not open they let me know. 3 out of 4 of these schools have refused to let me know until 9am next Weds morning (when I am due to start teaching at 9am).

If I don't try to go in & they are open, I don't get paid & am in theory in breach of contract if the school is open. I can just see me having to drive around like an idiot to each school! On top of that, I don't even know if DD's school will be shut (nothing said yet).

Are the school really not able to give me any clue as to whether or not they are open before the day? Or are they being deliberately awkward?

Do teachers not have to tell the school in advance if they want to strike?

OP posts:
letmehelp · 23/11/2011 18:35

I know that Hulababy, but this was about teachers and it's the teachers striking that will close schools, most could continue without the support staff etc

In comparison to most parents, at ordinary schools, teachers' T&C are excellent, which is why you'll never get parental support for this cause. (support staff etc different, I agree)

Julia - it is by inconviencing the public (voters) strikers hope to get their employers to change their mind though, to say it's a regretable by-product is ridiculous. The only direct effect striking (in this case) has on the employer is to save them money. And the contract has to be changed because the country (you and me) can't afford it, in the same way that most private sector pension terms have already changed because they were no longer sustainable.

Fraidylady · 23/11/2011 19:43

hulababy, I believe that if the ht is striking, then the chair of govs can come in to let non-strikers in the building, so you don't need to lose a day's pay.

wwydifudontmindmeasking · 23/11/2011 21:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
pugsandseals · 23/11/2011 22:39

No wwyd they can't. But those of us working in numerous schools per day are likely to waste half of it turning up to schools that are shut just to prove we were available to work! Or worse, would be if schools number 2 & 4 are open & 1 & 3 are shut - couple of hours shivering in the car anyone? Doesn't sound much fun to me but it might be what I am expected to do next week!

OP posts:
AChickenCalledKorma · 24/11/2011 09:36

But presumably you would only actually have to turn up to the one that starts at 9am. It will be possible to contact all the others first thing on Wednesday morning to check whether it is worth you travelling to them. They aren't going to close half way through the morning.

letmehelp · 24/11/2011 09:52

Pugs, but on a "normal" non striking day you'd have to go to all those schools and actually work (rather than just be available for work) why should the strike day be different? We're you hoping for a paid day off? Wink

TalkinPeace2 · 24/11/2011 09:58

I'm free range
No sick pay
no holiday pay
no pay on days that other people mess me around
its my choice

ASuitableGirl · 24/11/2011 11:11

Some schools might have children going home at lunchtime - that happened in DCs (primary) school last strike.

Elibean · 24/11/2011 12:48

All the teachers who are going to strike have told our HT in advance. By choice. He has sent out a letter to parents to say 'in all probability' or something like that, the following classes will be closed - blah blah.

Which is very helpful, and puts less backs up. There is very little upset from parents at the school about the strike, for whatever reason.

Original poster
pugsandseals · 24/11/2011 17:01

No I wasn't letmehelp - I was actually hoping I might be able to teach a few pupils so that less of their parents money is wasted! That is what this thread is about!

I can see it now - 2 or 3 months down the line when strikes are likely to become more frequent, parents getting fed up/kids enthusiasm drops. This could lead to a loss in pupil numbers and hours for me and schools with less interest in bringing in specialist teachers because of the hassle!

OP posts:
Appuskidu · 24/11/2011 20:31

Can't you just turn up at the first school at your normal time and if they are open-go and do your lesson there. Then ring the other schools before you leave and find out if they are open or not?

I don't really see the problem-you might have one wasted journey, but the other schools will have made a decision by the time you ring them.

grumpykat · 24/11/2011 20:36

Are you peri music? I have no idea what my schools are doing either, and will just turn up and see. You still get your travel claim, it's just a waste of time. I feel your pain.

mummytime · 26/11/2011 09:08

My DCs schools are shut to pupils, but the offices will still be functioning on Wednesday. I would contact the schools and see if you are able to teach as usual in any of them regardless of the strike. I could imagine that DCs senior school will still have music lessons if the peripatetic teachers are not themselves on strike. Are you part of a County Music service? If so I would talk to them first.

SwedeHeart · 26/11/2011 09:10

I don't understand your problem OP. Do you not normally go to these 4 schools on a Wednesday? Why would it be more difficult to go to them next Wednesday? Confused.

mrz · 26/11/2011 15:16

Have you checked with your LEA mine has a list of schools that will be closed ... it looks like it is a complete county wide closure

balia · 26/11/2011 16:17

If you have decided to strike break then yes, you have to drive round (like you normally would) and teach whoever is there to teach. What's the problem? If one is shut, go for a coffee, read a book. You're getting paid, right?

ASuitableGirl · 26/11/2011 16:26

I can see it could be complicated depending on where you are as if you were in DC's LEA some schools are open, some shut and in DC's school some classes in and some not. You would need to know which class(es) children were in to know whether or not they would be there I suppose.

sashh · 28/11/2011 04:55

I don't understand.

If you don't have time to travel to the schools if they are closed, then how do you have time to teach normally when they are open?

Turn up at the first school, if it is open teach, if nnot phone the other schools to see if they are open, if they are closed go home.

Many teachers have not yet decided if they are striking, if they do then they do nto have to tell anyone.

SwedeHeart · 28/11/2011 05:15

I don't think there will be any/many more strikes. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that anyone striking is going to be losing a day's pay.

People just don't want to do that/can't afford to do that - which is another reason why this strike is on the road to nowhere.

EdithWeston · 28/11/2011 06:32

If the teaching Unions have any common sense amongst their leadership, they will be clever enough to want to carry public opinion with them, then they will urge members to let their schools know their intentions early. This will ease the admin/contingency planning for third parties, thus reducing the collateral damage.

I realise union leadership may have to deal with strident members who advocate maximum damage regardless, but I hope they have the experience and leadership skills to prevent such a counterproductive attitude taking hold.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread