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[Solidarity]

I know there are threads flying about all over the place re; the strike, but this is purely to register support - it would be great if we could keep it going until midnight on Thursday ( 30th June )

you don't have to say anything - just smile, like this

although i dont think it will make a difference

What has mumsnet said then?

cinnamontoast.

Silly me. I forgot that I am always bumping into Billy Bragg in my hometown as he enquires about the well-being of the ex-miners he used to love singing about

Cinnomontoast; It's been a pleasure having you on this thread - thank you for your support

x

Thebest; where do you expect Billy Bragg to live? - down a disused mine in Doncastor? -

My name is Barry Shitpeas and I support the striking teachers.

ATL speeches were very moving today.

I'm a teacher and a mum so I was on strike today, with my children off as well. I have to admit, I was even more motivated by my girls being off today, as I would have had to pay the childminder my day's wages anyway. The amount of work us teachers put in is phenomenal, but we love our jobs. It is a shame we had to be driven to striking today. Thank you to all you mums who support us. It means a lot to us. Sometimes, it can feel like we never do a good enough job!

Amen to that Squshe

:) and :) again.

'Down a disused mine in Doncaster.' I find that really quite offensive.

If you ever see the abject poverty that people still endure in some towns and villages in the aftermath of the mines closures, you would perhaps realise that there is still an argument that the Government should provide more assistance. Some investment in jobs would be a great start. Now that a couple of decades have passed and miners aren't fashionable anymore Billy and all those students from the Home Counties who loved to wear 'Coal Not Dole' stickers don't appear to be saying much on the matter.

:)

:)

I was on strike today and took DS to our local rally so he could see what it was all about. I was surprised to see reps from other unions who weren't on strike today.

I was on strike too, did take ds to school (a rare treat) but found his teacher on a picket line; his class was to be covered by a TA. So I took ds to the local rally - lots and lots of people from all the unions. Very heartening to see them working together.

Feenie - covered by a TA?

Glad the rally was good. I enjoyed it today. Would rather have been at work (and getting paid) but I think it was a valuable thing for DS to be part of.

One of my colleagues and fellow reps on the picket line today is an ex-miner who was involved in the strikes.

He remembers exactly how bad it was...and that's one of the reasons he was out today.

Still supporting the teachers despite the shitty coverage on the beeb.

Does he remember how badly it ended for them too?

Yes, I had misgivings at first about taking ds, since I hadn't planned to but I was proud to do so in the end, particularly when dh joined us for UCU from a nearby town after his rally finished.

Have my support. My DH was on strike today although not a teacher he is a public sector worker. Today was actually his day off but he went down to the rally anyway. Afterwards we took the kids to the park and had a lovely afternoon as they were off too.

I don't think anyone who was involved could forget how badly it went for the miners thebest.