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Original poster

Does everyone realise about the 'action short of strike'?

161 replies

cricketballs · 21/09/2012 19:35

Just wondering what those who aren't employed in education know about the action short of strike that is starting from 26th September?

Do you realise that teachers from NASUWT and the NUT will basically be working to the letter of the terms and conditions? Do you have any think it will impact on the general public or just those within education given that the vast majority of instructions from the union are of not putting up with added extras demanded on us by SLT?

Just after opinions.....

OP posts:
meditrina · 21/09/2012 19:38

Yes, I knew about it: it was in the news when the strike dates were announced and I've read some of the other threads here.

Derceto · 22/09/2012 08:41

I think it will make a lot of difference in a few schools that have unreasonable demands on their staff but else where will have little effect. At first I thought it was going to be awful but on reflection I do not do many of the things on the list apart from displays and emails outside of work hours. I have done my displays now and will have to limit emails which may not be a bad thing.

Derceto · 22/09/2012 08:42

The one impact it may have is that school trips may be stopped if staff cannot cover.

mrz · 22/09/2012 14:14

Pupils and parents shouldn't see any effect from the action short of strike action by the NUT and NASUWT

Derceto · 22/09/2012 14:19

If no one feels an effect will it achieve anything other than making life difficult for teachers .

mrz · 22/09/2012 14:35

I think the whole idea is not to antagonise parents by taking strike action which inconveniences them.
My union isn't involved but personally I can't see it impacting on many primary schools.

Derceto · 22/09/2012 14:45

I thought it may have more effect in primaries as they seem more overworked than us in the secondary sector .

But if no one notices anything there is no point,

mrz · 22/09/2012 14:55

I think it will be noticed internally in some schools ... most primary teachers still carry out the "24 tasks" so I can't really see them suddenly refusing to do the things in the union instructions.

Startailoforangeandgold · 22/09/2012 15:25

Will this impact on lunch time sport and music clubs.

We had similar action when I was at school, which the teachers used to get out of running these.

mrz · 22/09/2012 15:30

which the teachers used to get out of running these.
You seem to forget that the teachers do these in their time unpaid ...voluntarily! So don't need an excuse to get out of running these!

Original poster
cricketballs · 22/09/2012 15:31

sorry Start but l couldn't help but laugh at the 'teachers used to get out of running these'...you do realise that teachers don't get paid for running clubs and use their own time to do them? Wilshaw in disguise

OP posts:
Original poster
cricketballs · 22/09/2012 15:32

x post Mrz!

OP posts:
mrz · 22/09/2012 15:36

Perhaps the response of a middle school teacher sums up the action

I looked down the list of things that I shouldn't do during the action and... realised I didn't do any of them anyway!

Original poster
cricketballs · 22/09/2012 15:51

It has been interesting reading the view points so far and I am sure that the latest comments made by Wilshaw are perfectly timed to fit in with this action. There are at least 5 instructions that I do on a routinely basis which I will be stopping and other than HT/SLT I'm not sure if the impact will be noticed in the immediate by students/parents/Ofsted etc.

I am taking part in the action though as I for one is sick to death of having my profession used as a political football, sick to death of being blamed for everything that goes wrong in society, sick to death of not being allowed to do what I do best - teach how I know best, teach how I know my students best learn.

OP posts:
Original poster
cricketballs · 22/09/2012 15:53

I for one is...apologies meant to type I for one am (anger typing after reading the comments on the BBC news!)

OP posts:
Northernlurkerisbackatwork · 22/09/2012 16:00

This thread has prompted me to read through the list of instructions and tbh I'm not sure I will notice any difference at all. Depends on how the schools are really run doesn't it? I have dc in primary and secondary schools.

Startailoforangeandgold · 22/09/2012 16:20

I realise teachers aren't paid for running lunch time activities, but they are a very important part of my DDs experience of school and one I'm Envy of.

The staff at my dear old Welsh Comp. were a rather rag bag bunch.
Nothing like the professional teachers of today. Some were brilliant, some were useless.

The science dept. who I knew best, were a total law unto themselves. They certainly weren't beyond using work to rules to avoid running clubs or teaching bottom sets they disliked.

Sadly the not doing anything extra attitude persisted long after the dispute ended.

I just hope that bad feeling between the government and teachers does not have similar long term effects on my DDs.

Startailoforangeandgold · 22/09/2012 16:36

I nearly started a thread this morning about Wilshawl.

Stupid manAngry
Yes a lot of DDs primary teachers are on site 8.45-3.30.

They are Mum's with young children. No doubt they took up teaching in part because it is relatively family friendly.

It certainly isn't well paid!

However, having helped in school and on trips and things. No way are the hours you see them in school the hours they actually work. Huge amounts of planing, thinking, marking and preparation must go on at home in the evenings and weekends.

Yes as I've said I do hope the good will to run lunch time activities remains, they are very important to children like my DD who find making friends very hard. Lunch hour can seem very long.

But after school and in holidays is another matter entirely, it totally changes the nature of the job.

If teaching starts requiring the same child care as other jobs, a lot of very good female teachers are going to look for better pay else where.

jabed · 22/09/2012 16:39

Well, you learn something every day. When was this decided? I work in education and know nothing about it. Oops.

jabed · 22/09/2012 16:41

I just noticed. Its NUT and NASUWT. Thats me out then. I am ATL

mrz · 22/09/2012 16:48

see jabed we do have something in common!

I believe the NUT has voted for strike action
www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/sep/07/teaching-union-vote-strike-pay

clam · 23/09/2012 11:09

"They are Mum's (sic) with young children. No doubt they took up teaching in part because it is relatively family friendly."

I can't believe that people still believe this to be true! Teaching has got to be one of the most family-UNfriendly jobs going. Holidays are useful, certainly, although I must point out that they are unpaid, apart from the standard entitlement for most workers.

TheFallenMadonna · 23/09/2012 11:14

Um, it is reasonably well paid really. And it is family friendly in that there are no shifts, no travel, you can take work home to do in the evenings and you get the school holidays. I used to think it wasn't family friendly until I saw friends who work FT in other professions, and the problems they have covering the holidays.

clam · 23/09/2012 11:18

Well-paid compared with what/whom? Not for the level of qualifications required, training undergone, workload undertaken and responsibility borne, it isn't.

Derceto · 23/09/2012 11:21

I think it is quite family friendly , I don't think any full time professional job is ever going to be completely family friendly . However 12 weeks off with my children and the ability to come home at 4pm regularly ( and then work when the children are on bed) sounds pretty good to me