Teachers' strike

[purits]

Considering that teachers are constantly moaning about the National Curriculum, teaching to the test, Ofsted, targets, league tables, disruption in the classroom, etc etc etc: why is the first strike for ages about pay (for them) instead of about conditions (for the kids)?

very true, cc, but i just get sick of people going on about the holidays, because our salary is pro rata. thought it might be interesting to see it broken down.

£16 an hour...to be responsible for the wellbeing, safety and learning of 30 + individuals. hmm...

And don't get me started on report writing. 30 kids with 5 pages each and the only thing I cut and paste is P.E!

Unless all unions go out together. Then your just putting up a token fight. If you went on strike not just for pay you would have a lot more people behind you..
If every teacher walked out for one day union or no union they could sack all of you? surely. If every parent didn't go to work on that same day because the conditions for their children are crap. now that would have an effect.

They go out in June and I have to start them at Easter!

Dh has his system for report LOL that makes it a bit quicker. Still takes ages tho.

DH isn't a crap manager Purits, thanks. He was asked to take on this job becasue of the 18% improvement made in the year he was acting HoD at his last school, when HOD on long term sick. Dh heads the dept he does through inheriting, but because mostly his school don't get people applying for the jobs and they have to take what they can get. Essentially they don't pay enough to offset the stress of classroom management.

If you have a Maths degree there are better paid jobs out there than teaching; if you are a maths teacher there are nicer schools to work in. Golden hellos are all very well but student loans eat those.

Btw, Dh didn't strike today as he went at lunchtime to a social services case conference for a looked after child. But I did.

right I'm off to work again..
have fun

Was it always like this? Like 20/30 years ago?

I spend £100+ each month on resources for my class more if I need books. I went on a training course during my half term holidays and spent over £200 on books and resources. That's without ink and paper for my printer or laminator pockets. My wage would be fine if I didn't need to subsidise the school.

I didn't realise the final salary scheme was closed to new entrants. Sorry

Thanks for the chat yesterday, ladies. I know understand:

1. Teachers are not too concerned about their long hours and poor working environment; they would prefer to have extra money rather than improvements.
2. Teachers want a payrise so that they then have spare money to spend on resources that the authorities should be providing. (I do hope that none of you teach Business Studies.)
3. It is beyond the collective power of teachers to change anything. They simply "follow orders", moan about the system and expect sympathy from everyone.

1. Purits has a life, thank you very much. I am in control of my own destiny and am well paid. Would it surprise you to know that I don't work for the Government?

It really is poor form to come back onto a thread just to stir things up again!

Teachers, Purits, would like a pay rise and improvements. I don't think the 2.45% was bad, considering that the Armed Services only got 2.6%. What I think many object to, and that hasn't been elucidated clearly enough, is the fact that the government are attempting to make this a three year pay deal, with no room for negotiation over the next two years, regardless of what the cost of living is doing.

I think that teachers should be able to claim back in tax what they spend on resources...I could have claimed back about £300 just for my text books one year, let alone all the other things I bought for the classroom. It cost me about £1200-1500 a year in resources...why should I pay that?

We can't change the system, much as we would like to do so, as the government sets the system and the processes. If you try to buck the system, you lose your job. My husband is a professional, but he can't sack people as his chain of command doesn't allow him to do so. I bet there are unwritten rules in your place of employment that you accept without demur because that's the way it is. Well, teaching is like that too.

Of course the solution is easy. All teachers should resign and go and work in private schools, and watch the state system go to hell in a handcart, but then we'd be accused of betraying the children. Can't win can we?

In my life before teaching (not working for the Government) my destiny was controlled by shareholders and market forces.

So shall I sign you up for the graduate trainee course then Purits?

Or just hope that there are well motivated & qualified teachers standing up at the front of your children's classes, to whom a pay cut will mean nothing.

But it's alright because your support for their profession will at least make it all worth it ... oh, hang on...

Congratulations bb and heated and all the other teachers who supported the strike. I have a few reasons for saying this.

dp and I also work in the public sector - local government - and are being offered 2.45% with strings attached - similar multi year deal regardless of inflation. If our members vote for strike action and we take it we'll no doubt also be slagged off, as we were a few years ago. I think a victory for teachers would encourage the rest of us.

And while my ds isn't at school yet, when he is, I'd prefer there to be good teachers left in schools. Ones who aren't being made to feel that they have to subsidise basic running costs all the time. And ones who aren't giving up after a few years.