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Original poster

part time teachers HELP with parents evenings on days OFF

407 replies

GordianKnot · 11/03/2010 20:07

ok so i do three days
parents eve always on day off
dont mind dointg EXAM classes at all, but in KS3 is complusory subject so its tough titty really.
so i said " are you goign to pay me or not expect me in"

teh solution they propose is that my LOVELY HoD reads out what i write down

dont know what do do

OP posts:
MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 04:23

You have posted the same points over and over. One for the goose?

I am actually a member of a union, if that earns me any brownie points.

tethersend · 15/03/2010 09:43

MmeBlueberry,

"And I am not a feminist or unionist "

"I am actually a member of a union, if that earns me any brownie points."

I suppose you're also an avid reader of Andrea Dworkin?

MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 17:52

I'm only a pay my subscription to a union for the insurance. That does not make me a unionist (in that sense, I am however a Unionist, but that is by the by).

My monthly union magazine goes into the recycling unread. It does not interest me at all.

I have no idea who Dworkin and am not motivated to Google or Wiki her.

EvilTwins · 15/03/2010 18:09

I really do hope MmeB that you never actually NEED your union, because your attitude towards it is abhorrant.

EvilTwins · 15/03/2010 18:10

Abhorrent. Sorry. Still mean it though, however it's spelt.

tethersend · 15/03/2010 18:41

"I'm[sic] only a pay my subscription to a union for the insurance. That does not make me a unionist"

Err... yes it does.

The definition of a Unionist is 'A member or supporter of a trade union'

You pay your subscription (for dubious reasons); you are a member.

You are a unionist.

I hope she does need it one day, EvilTwins. I hope she does.

MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 20:40

Why is it abhorrent? I only pay my membership because it gives me insurance. If it didn't, I would find some other way to be insured and never join a union. There is nothing wrong with that. I hope I don't need to use my union too.

I was never in a union in my two pre-teaching jobs. I never needed one, and none was on offer. I have always chosen to work for ethical companies that will do their best to do the right thing. I have no fear of a big bad employer, and I really don't do 'them and us'.

Just because we don't share the same views on trade unionism, doesn't make my views wrong.

Look at Unite (BA cabin crew) - hardly a warm fuzzy picture of trade unionism.

tethersend · 15/03/2010 21:14

MmeBlueberry, it's like arguing with cake.

Pop over to this thread and share your wisdom there. It's selfish for us to enjoy all of it.

MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 21:17

BTW, TE, I would never wish 'needing to use their union' on anyone. That would mean that they would have been accused of harming a child, most likely. I can't imagine wishing that on even my worst enemy. Really.

tethersend · 15/03/2010 21:24

MmeBlueberry, I think you need some help.

I'll put it down to you having NO idea what a union is for. You think you need a union because you've harmed a child? You have to be winding me up.

I hope you need the help of your union because your 'wonderful' private school tries to shaft you- metaphorically, you understand.

I can't believe I'm having to explain myself. Again.

MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 21:45

I don't need any help. I am perfectly content.

I even accomodate colleagues who have different points of view. Imagine that.

I will reassert that it is particularly distasteful to wish ill on someone just because they don't agree with your political views. I think if I felt that way, I would be reevaluating my role as a teacher.

EvilTwins · 15/03/2010 21:49

"I don't need any help".

Three words for you MmeB - At. The. Moment.

Your attitude towards those who have fought for you employment rights, which you patently take totally for granted, IS abhorrent.

I don't wish ill on you, MmeB, purely because I wouldn't wish YOU and your vile, arrogant attitude on any union officer who was drafted in to help you out.

tethersend · 15/03/2010 21:58

Apparently, unions only help you out if you've hurt a child, EvilTwins

MmeBlueberry, wishing ill on you is not the same as wishing you would have call to use the support of your union. The point of which would be that you would then understand and appreciate what your union is for.

But do feel free to argue back about how I've attacked your personal beliefs/career/morals/family pet (delete as appropriate).

Glad you took my advice and are spreading the joy on the BA thread, BTW.

MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 21:59

Wow! Can you really not accept that different people have different viewpoints?

I find that quite worrying, when coming from a teacher.

Appreciating other people's points of view is a big part of what I teach. You don't have to agree with them, but you should see where they are coming from. I encourage my students to understand the arguments on both sides of any issue and then to formulate their own personal point of view.

No matter how hardened a union supporter you are, surely you can see when unions have a negative impact on society. It is important to be able to see this.

MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 22:01

You have wished ill on me, TE, and I find that quite disappointing and sickening, tbh.

Be thankful that I would never, ever do the same to you.

tethersend · 15/03/2010 22:04

Why on earth do you post on any threads if you blithely accept that 'people have different viewpoints'?

I know you have a different viewpoint. I disagree with it. I am challenging it. Repeatedly.

You have yet to concede a single one of my points, yet you expect me to acquiesce to yours?

I don't think you understand how this works.

Do you not teach debating at your school?

EvilTwins · 15/03/2010 22:08

I can accept that different people have different viewpoints. What I don't accept is when people take for granted certain rights but refuse to show respect for the people and organisations that fought for these rights.

I find that quite worrying in a teacher.

tethersend · 15/03/2010 22:13

MmeBlueberry, are you telling me you are 'sickened and disappointed' because I hoped you'd have call to use your union one day?

Or did I accidentally wish a plague of locusts on your house?

Please clarify, as you seem to be overreacting somewhat.

MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 22:24

I think both of you are perfectly entitled to your points of view. You are not wrong to hold these points of view, but I don't happen to agree with them. This is not an unusual situation.

I don't get what you keep saying.

I have been consistent on this thread. You may have rights, but it may not be in your best interests to exercise those rights. This is hardly an extreme point of view. I am being told that people fought for those rights so I have to accept them - well, no I don't. I can assess the individual situation as I see fit. That is my right, which other equally worthy people have fought for.

But I would never wish union help on anyone. It means they are in a bad place and that is not a situation I would want anyone to be in.

mitochondria · 15/03/2010 22:25

Tethersend - as someone who has been reading a bit of this thread, I did do a bit of a at the bit where you wished
Blueberry would have to use her union.

Here:

"I hope she does need it one day, EvilTwins. I hope she does."

It wasn't clear that you wanted her to use it to see how great unions are. It could also have been read as you wanted something to happen to her that would need union involvement. These types of things are not usually good.

tethersend · 15/03/2010 22:31

I know what I said, mitochondria- I stand by it.

I want MmeBlueberry to understand why unions are so important, and since all other arguments have failed to make an impact as they don't directly relate to her, I'm afraid it is the only way she may understand their importance.

If you think what I said was inappropriate, feel free to report my post.

MmeBlueberry · 15/03/2010 22:35

I don't need you to tell me how important unions are. They can blow their own trumpets! They are big enough to do that - that is their modus operandus.

Unfortunately, the unions all too often shoot themselves in the foot and confirm all my paradigms.

Accept that we are not all the same!

EvilTwins · 15/03/2010 23:09

Unions are not only involved when things go wrong. You only need to look at the website for the biggest unions to see the mountains of good work they do and the wonderful causes the support - youth music theatre, youth sports organisations, teaching awards, equal opportunities in all areas of education, and so on and so on.

I agree that you are entitled to your opinions, MmeB, and that you are still entitled to them even if I don't agree with them, but you have to admit that you are ill-informed, and that your knowledge of TEACHING unions, the work they do, the support they offer, and the rights they have fought for and won, so that you can do the job you love is sketchy. THAT'S what I object to, and that's why I find your attitude arrogant. Surely you teach your students that opinions are all well and good, but that they must be supported by evidence. I know I do.

MmeBlueberry · 16/03/2010 05:45

Too many assumptions there, ET.

I always try to avoid telling other people what they know, think or feel. I would hope others would do likewise.

When you point a finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you.

EvilTwins · 16/03/2010 07:55

No assumptions at all.

I ask you to admit that your knowledge of teaching unions, the work the do and the support they offer is sketchy. After all, you have conceded that you're only a member because of the insurance, whilst simultaneously branding union involvement in ones life a sign of trouble and saying that unions cause trouble and shoot themselves in the foot. I'm simply pointing out that there is much more to it than that.

And you have made plenty of assumptions about me, including that I don't allow others to hold opinions I don't share.

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