Any NEU teachers not striking?

[Stardust35]

Interested to know.
I feel torn between standing in solidarity with other members over an important cause, but also knowing that I will struggle with loss of pay and also that I don't think the strike will have maximum impact without the other unions striking too.
Would be interested to hear others opinions.
Nobody has really said anything about it at my school.

I support the strikes but I do really hope they tell them even if it's just the day before as a)we have to leave at 7.30 for breakfast club and b)my DD has SEN and really doesn't cope well with last minute changes.

I've joined this site to reply exclusively to this post. I will be accused of not being a teacher as apparently my stance is unusual but I want to be honest here. I'm in the NEU and have never went on strike. I will never go on strike. I love teaching, find the wage more than liveable and have a great, supportive SLT at my school. I'm in school now using the time wisely. There's SOW to fine tune, SEND records to update etc. Plenty to do. If we get a rise so be it. I will benefit without lost wages or disruption to my day. I realise this may seem selfish but it isn't harming anyone.

"May seem" selfish? There's no "may" about it.

How tone deaf are you, to come onto this site and post a smug account of all the work you managed to get done on a paid day whilst others are striking on YOUR behalf and then say you'll happily take any pay increase that comes your way?
I don't know how you can look your colleagues in the face.

Maybe you should join the non-striking union then?

I'm in the NEU and have never went on strike.

This sentence is nonsensical. Are you sure you're a teacher?

But if the strikes are successful you’ll happily take the pay rise ?

Yep. Not a teacher. Or heaven help us if she is.

Just to address a few points here. Yes of course I will be happy to take the pay rise. I'm just not willing to strike. It's unethical I guess but I can live with that. I'm not alone in doing this. One of my dear friends at a different school does exactly the same. I knew I would get accused of not being a teacher but there's not a lot I can do about that. Let me explain. I'm in the union to protect myself and nothing else. It's worked like a charm for this long so why change it? Why say "heaven help us if she is?" in relation to me being a teacher? I come into school and do a good job. What else do I need to do? As for looking colleagues in the eye. The key word here is colleagues. They are not my friends.

Why don’t you join Edapt, a non -striking teacher’s union? You are harming your fellow NEU members by strike-breaking and your behaviour is unethical.

Why say "heaven help us if she is?" in relation to me being a teacher?

Because of your appalling grammar, here.

I'm in the NEU and have never went on strike.

Most teachers are team players. We have to be in the current climate. I am striking for the children and on behalf of younger teachers.

I am nearing retirement and have enjoyed working conditions and salary scales that other teachers secured for us in the 80s and 90s. I am doing the same now for the future.

There are always selfish people in every walk of life. Unimaginative people who cannot see beyond their own needs.

I think the majority of teachers are now united in our belief that nothing will change for the better now unless we fight for it.

You are harming your fellow NEU members by strike-breaking and your behaviour is unethical.

I'm not in the union to strike. I'm in the union to protect myself. I agree it's unethical but it isn't a crime.

Appalling grammar! I typed went instead of gone. Hardly evidence of not being a teacher.

I am sympathetic to people who don't strike for a variety of reasons.
Your smug "I'm alright Jack" attitude is not one I have any time for.
Colleagues are not necessary friendS, of course. But for the good of everyone in the school, not least the children, it is wise to keep people inside by being a team player. Next time you are feeling unwell and would appreciate someone stepping in to do your duty or club for you, for instance? Be aware there might not be a whole queue if people ready to assist.

You really don't get it do you. I have strong relationships with my colleagues. I always have. I just don't socialise with them. My attendance is impeccable so I've never needed to have my after school club covered. I'm a good team player. Do you think I tell them any of this? Of course not. I just don't discuss what union I'm in. In fact I don't talk about the political aspects at all. I have no time for "consecutive Conservative governments are destroying education" type discussions. Yawn.

I think you're the one not getting it.
I've worked with people like you before.

So as a teacher you DON’T think the Tories have destroyed education?

I’m in the NEU but have not taken strike action today. It would have NO impact for our school as it’s closed to students already. It would mean a loss in pay and no one would even know.

We’ve already had a strike day so this would be the second so it’s unaffordable if it’s not going to have an impact. Of the 35 NEU members in the previous strikes pre-Christmas, 20 actually took strike action.

I’m in the NEU but have not taken strike action today. It would have NO impact for our school as it’s closed to students already. It would mean a loss in pay and no one would even know.

So will you be turning down any pay increase offers then? Seeing as your striking colleagues have taken the financial hit today?

i don’t know how many bothered to take stole action today as there isn’t anyone in school as it’s closed. Like I said it will have no impact, so pay lost for what? We’ve already lost it from the strikes in November.

68 teachers at my school. Today:

4 were on strike
3 off sick
4 absent for childcare reasons
1 previously declared an intention to strike but called in sick today!

This makes no sense. Why on earth are you in the neu if you never have any intention of striking. Everyone knows nasuwt are far less militant than neu so why not join them. There's literally no point in paying a fee every month when there's a different union far more aligned with your values.

This makes no sense. Why on earth are you in the neu if you never have any intention of striking. Everyone knows nasuwt are far less militant than neu so why not join them. There's literally no point in paying a fee every month when there's a different union far more aligned with your values.

Let me explain. I'm really not bothered what union I'm in. I'm in a union to protect myself and that is it. I'm not a political person. I think when I joined it was the cheapest! I find all this "throwing the dolly out the pram" business rather embarrassing.

"I find all this "throwing the dolly out the pram" business rather embarrassing."
What do you mean? Who's doing that?

But happy to reap the rewards if the strikes are successful

So as a teacher you DON’T think the Tories have destroyed education?

No. In what sense? I still have a career teaching my subject and day to day the experience is still enjoyable.

"I find all this "throwing the dolly out the pram" business rather embarrassing."
What do you mean? Who's doing that?

I want more money. I'm not getting it so I will strike. That's what I mean.

But happy to reap the rewards if the strikes are successful
Yes, of course.

To reiterate I'm in the union to protect myself.