Strix, I am not striking as my union hasn't balloted yet. However, as a new teacher, who previously spent 30 years in the private sector, including 10 in banking, I think anyone who questions teachers' loyalty to 'their' children really needs to look a bit closer.
It was entirely my choice to switch to teaching. I love it, and I have no wish to start a 'we are so hard done by' thread. BUT, in none of the private sector jobs I had did I see people putting their hands in their (much better paid) pockets in the same way teachers do. I only had to do the post-grad year, but most new teachers have studied 3 or 4 years and start on £21k a year, with whatever debt they have amassed. That is precisely £3k pa more than I earned as a non-graduate in the private sector in 1989 - 22 years ago.
These new teachers will be buying things to cheer up their classroom, cups for their class to drink from, endless coloured pens for marking, stickers to reward children, coloured print cartridges and a laminator and laminator pouches because most schools ban or severely restrict colour printing but still expect colourful displays and exciting lesson resources. Token Christmas and Easter gifts for the class, table of the week prizes, books to boost the pathetic bookshelf in the classroom. It sure adds up.
I don't think I worked in particularly corrupt companies, but in the private sector my colleagues routinely charged for every single mile they drove. In the old days of increased mileage = reduced company car tax, people would drive from the UK to meetings in Italy, Switzerland to clock up the miles. They would insist on flying BA to get the airmiles (for their own use) even though there might be a cheaper or more convenient alternative. Far from time being money, time could be spent idling in foreign cities, or on corporate hospitality days. I didn't see much loyalty to shareholders, or to customers actually. I saw a lot of me-me-me.
I don't see that in teaching. I spent an hour's precious PPA time in the staffroom today, looking for resources to liven up end of year maths lessons, when my Year 6 class are getting restless. There were 3 of us in there, all plugging away at laptops or marking books, not having watercooler chats, just doggedly making the most of every second because there is just so much to do outside the classroom to make what happens in the classroom work. It's my first year, so of course I've worked long hours, but even working as a management consultant while simultaneously studying for an MBA, I didn't do the hours I have done this year - and yes that is factoring in the holidays.
So by all means question the efficacy or ethics of striking in general. But please do not throw the guilt-trip-what-about-the-kids thing around.