Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Teachers - Action short of a strike

82 replies

FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 17:49

Hello teachers, (and anyone else who would like to comment!)
I was just wondering how many of you are planning to carry out this action short of a strike?

For me, this course of action would only make MY life worse - I have to keep everything up to date for my sanity's sake. It also seems designed to create massive bad feeling within schools. I work in a happy environment and actions such as refusing to be observed, refusing to cover, refusing to implement new policies, etc. would stir up such bad feeling. I genuinely would like to hear from anyone who is taking this course of action.
Link if anyone's interested: www.nasuwt.org.uk/Whatsnew/NASUWTNews/NASUWTindustrialaction/ActionShortOfStrikeAction/index.htm

OP posts:
missmapp · 19/09/2012 17:54

When I read the suggested actions I was amazed- a lot of these things I consider an important part of my job, I do not want tostop doing them and , as you say, it would make my life worse.

Yes, I work at home every night, but that is the job, I alos get long holidays in the summer to make up for it. What I want to stop is putting young children under ridiculous pressure to jump through hoops that are constantly being raised- but that's another issue!

So, no I will not be taking action, but then I dint strike in the earlier action either.

Feenie · 19/09/2012 18:04

Why don't you change unions then, if you don't support the campaigns?

The action isn't refusing to be observed, it's refusing to be observed for 3 hours a year, which neither union agreed to.

Most of it seems to be stuff that has been in place for a long time, like the 3 hours, refusal to cover, entitlement to PPA time.

Some of it seems difficult to implement, I agree, and some of it is stuff that makes my life easier too - such as work in the evenings, answering emails out of work hours, etc.

It isn't refusing to implement new policies, either - it's 'refusing to implement school policies that have not been evaluated for impact on workload and working hours.' Which isn't unreasonable, imo.

TheMonster · 19/09/2012 18:07

It willbe impossible for me to avoid working at home - I need to get things done.

mrz · 19/09/2012 18:08

My union isn't involved in the action but it appears to me that the "action" will probably impact more in secondary than in primary. I honestly can't see many primary teachers carrying out this action.

radicalsubstitution · 19/09/2012 18:08

Ditto.

Whilst I hate covering for absent teachers, I don't see how refusing to cover would make life any better. Employing more cover supervisors would only mean that cuts would have to be made elsewhere in school.

I really can't see how I could do my job properly under these circumstances.

Feenie · 19/09/2012 18:09

So you use your PPA to cover? We're never asked to.

Original poster
FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 18:11

Missmapp - I feel similarly about the holiday compensation thing as well. I also did not strike earlier in the year because I cannot physically afford to lose a day's pay.

Feenie - this is an option I will seriously consider. I have been in the NASUWT since PGCE days, but yes, I do find I..... not "don't support" the campaigns....but I don't feel I can carry out the instructions of the union.

I do think though, that many union members who striked will not be working to rule on 26th.

OP posts:
orangeandlemons · 19/09/2012 18:12

I work in secondary, and actually our school do mostof the stuff on the list. We don't do display or cover for absent colleagues. But this was all part of workforce reform a few years back.

i think the point is, to stop people like yourselves doing stuff you shouldn't be doing to reduce your workload Hmm

I voted for it, and will be acting on it. Especiallythe emails. It is ridiculous the amount we get in a secondary school, AND the idea is to stop blanket emails, or to stop people sending needless emails. Also you can still answer them within directed time, not just school hours.

Glad to know as teachers we are all unified on the govenment's onslaught. I would second the question, as to why you are in a union if not taking action?

Original poster
FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 18:17

Glad to know as teachers we are all unified on the govenment's onslaught. I would second the question, as to why you are in a union if not taking action?
I pay my union fees as a guarantee for support and representation should the need arise in school. What other options are there? What if I were a die-hard tory who whole-heartedly agreed with the governemnt's plans for teacher's pensions and pay-cuts? (Am not, obviously.)

But why should the representation I pay for come with such political direction? Really not trying to be an arse here - this has bugged me for ages!

OP posts:
Feenie · 19/09/2012 18:20

If you're not prepared to support your union's actions, why would you want them to represent you? There are other unions to join, with different views.

Original poster
FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 18:25

If you're not prepared to support your union's actions, why would you want them to represent you? Because a union rep is a knowledgeable negotiator and presumably well-versed in what, LEGALLY, is what. I have used them before when needed be and they were faultless.

I am absolutely prepared to research other unions. I would hazard a guess that there are thousands of teachers in the UK belonging to the NASUWT or NUT who didn't strike.

OP posts:
Feenie · 19/09/2012 18:28

So you're prepared to use them for your ends, but not prepared to back them up when they take action to benefit you then. Smile

Feenie · 19/09/2012 18:31

I would hazard a guess that there are thousands of teachers in the UK belonging to the NASUWT or NUT who didn't strike.

Oh come on, you know better than 'but she does it too, Miss!'

I do believe a lot of people swapped unions then - conscience, and all that.

Original poster
FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 18:33

But I pay a monthly sum to have them represent me where needed, I'm not asking them to do it for free them turning round and refusing to repay the favour, as it were.
Were I a die hard tory, would I still be expected to support their policies? Ach I dunno, as I say, I'm prepared to research unions more suitable to me - but I think if the NUT and NASUWT got rid of every member who didn't strike or work to rule, they'd find their membership significantly down.

OP posts:
Original poster
FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 18:35

I would hazard a guess that there are thousands of teachers in the UK belonging to the NASUWT or NUT who didn't strike.

Certainly wasn't the purpose of the comment. My decision to strike is mine alone and I certainly don't accept pressure from anyone. I maintain it's a valid point thought that there are many teachers who pay for union guidance but have different political directions.

OP posts:
Original poster
FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 18:37

bollocks - missed the bit i meant to quote there, obviously

OP posts:
mrz · 19/09/2012 18:46

As I said my union isn't involved but they were in the earlier strike action however IMVHO if you join a union you agree to follow a majority decision if feel that it is against your principles then you need to look for a union that supports your view. Many teachers left the NUT in the 80s and joined unions like PAT (now VOICE) because they were opposed to strike action.

juniper904 · 19/09/2012 18:46

I've been on 'action short of strike action' since December 1st, and it hasn't made a smidgen of difference in my school. Mainly because there are only three NASUWT members. Now NUT are onboard, I hope it'll be more effective.

I am not a fan of striking, but as and when my Union tell me to, I do. What is the point in being a part of a union if you are not united?

ATL aren't striking- join them if you don't agree with NASUWT's or NUT's principles.

Original poster
FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 18:51

ATL aren't striking- join them if you don't agree with NASUWT's or NUT's principles Then you've done my research for me :)

Seriously though - ignoring personal situations, what does a teacher do who wants to pay for professional representation from someone experienced in education, and is willing to pay for it, but has political values that don't match up with those of the mainstream unions? What alternatives are there? If the answer is none, then I question the fairness of this.

OP posts:
Original poster
FermezLaBouche · 19/09/2012 18:55

Sorry mrz I didn't mean to ignore your post!
I know you give a lot of good advice on this forum and obviously have significant teaching experience - would you strike if your union instructed you to, but you weren't in complete agreement?

OP posts:
WofflingOn · 19/09/2012 18:57

Read the leaflet, and although I'll be supporting my union and following the action, it will make very little impact because my school already follows the majority of the stuff in it, so it will have little impact. It's just good practice isn't it?

mrz · 19/09/2012 19:06

I did strike (two separate dates) although I voted against it FermezLaBouche as I believe that I should follow the majority decision

mrz · 19/09/2012 19:08

I'm in the ATL ... who took industrial (strike) action last year when the NASUWT decided not to strike. Traditionally they are a non striking union

ravenAK · 19/09/2012 19:16

I voted for it (although I'd rather just strike & have done) & will be following the majority decision of my union, as I would whether I agreed or not - or I'd be leaving.

I changed union last year as I disagreed with their stance re: striking.

Most of the stuff is good practice anyway.

juniper904 · 19/09/2012 19:19

I joined NASUWT for two reasons. 1) I don't want to strike, and NUT strike or threaten it fairly frequently 2) I like their international solidarity work as I am an Amnesty loving hippy dip-shit.

I believe very strongly in union action, and don't think it should just be an insurance policy in case an allegation is made against me. I want to support other unionists around the world and show general support.

Even though I'm not a fan of striking, I will always follow my union because I think it weakens everyone if we do not stand together.

Swipe left for the next trending thread