Secondary teachers strike

[tocahairchop]

Any other secondary teachers in Scotland who are not keen on strike action? I get the motives behind it but not at all up for striking at this point due to disruption and the fact that times are tough for everyone. Feel like I have to justify myself to non teachers by saying 'I don't agree with striking' as it's not going to be met favourably by the public in the same way as other sectors striking over pay.

Yup, they would have benefitted massively from the teachers' strikes in the 80s. Think we're in for the long haul for this one though. The 6.85% 'offer' was such a joke that even much of the media are reporting it as that. If they'd given us reasonable par rises consistently over the years we'd not be in this situation. It's because we have to beg and threaten for everything, every single year, that we're here at all. Every 'big' pay rise comes after years of inadequate ones.

Well done to everyone taking the difficult decision to walk out today. 💪

just looked at the starting salaries on the bbc news article.
If my DD (who wants to be a teacher), was starting her career now, she'd be earning more than me (I'm 42), with the benefits, annual leave etc that comes with public sector.
I used to work in secondary schools, not a teacher, but very similar pay and benefits. Left as bullying was rife, and I was sick of seeing many colleagues - albeit not teachers to be fair - getting paid to just gossip and do SFA.
I don't support the strike. Nor do my retired primary teacher MIL or retired secondary teacher DF. I am pissed that S4 DD is missing out on teaching support less than 2 weeks before her prelims.

Every 'big' pay rise comes after years of inadequate ones.
That's a very good point.
I don't find it very relevant when posters come on saying "I've had a look at the salary and.." this means you have no idea about being a teacher, how the pay has been eroded over the years, what the conditions are like etc, and feel you can pass a judgement based on a quick glance at a pay scale? I would never do that for another person's job.

when you look at real term wage rises over the last 15 years for nurses and teachers you can see why there are strikes. And 96 percent voting for on a turn out of 71 percent is extremely compelling. Hoping for a resolution soon for everyone's sake.

Perhaps the reason why your MIL and DF are not supportive is the the fact they are now retired.

I have been in the profession for many years. Twenty years ago I loved my job and was happy with pay and conditions. Even five ago the situation was still tolerable, The last three years in particular have been absolutely hellish. Behaviour is shocking, bordering on criminal in some cases, and workload is immense.

As a secondary teacher I am expected, on my own, in 60 minutes, with 33 kids to: stretch the most able, support children who are illiterate and cannot read beyond cvc words, support EAL children with no English rather than yes and no, support children with ASD, manage behaviour issues which in the past would have gotten them excluded (no exclusions allowed now), engage everyone with innovative learning and teaching methods, give praise and feedback, and finally, teach the curriculum!

Teachers deserve more. The rallying call is for pay, but tbh the conditions and workload also need a radical rethink. Many of my colleagues are actively looking for ways out. We already have vacancies we cannot fill. Increased pay might just help to encourage more into the job. I genuinely fear for the future if we can't fix this.

Teachers are not badly paid
If they think they are worth more they can get another job

Come join me in the third sector education field - I dare you. Lets see how you cope. Less pay, longer hours, harder work, more challenging kids, crappy pension, but nicer staff and managers. I'm genuinely much happier. I feel I am put to better use, have a better purpose and feel more motivated to do well.
And my MIL does supply work so retired, but also not retired, she still sees and hears it all.

Why are we worth 7% less than we were last year?

It's not a race to the bottom. I would absolutely support you in a claim for better pay and conditions. Just as I support nurses and other public sector workers.

That'll solve the shortages. 👍

As a secondary teacher I am expected, on my own, in 60 minutes, with 33 kids to: stretch the most able, support children who are illiterate and cannot read beyond cvc words, support EAL children with no English rather than yes and no, support children with ASD, manage behaviour issues which in the past would have gotten them excluded (no exclusions allowed now), engage everyone with innovative learning and teaching methods, give praise and feedback, and finally, teach the curriculum!

@LoopyGremlin You've not even started on the tracking and monitoring.

I just drove past my local school and there are no teachers on a picket line.
The school is closed so why aren’t the teachers there on a picket line ? Is it too cold today ?
Happy to protest for the pay rise from comfort of home ?

Picket lines are only relevant at the beginning of the day: they are to demonstrate to non-striking staff what they are doing and to offer non-strikers the opportunity to join the strike.
Most teachers I know then joined a local rally. There were rallys in cities and large towns and strikers were encouraged to join one. It'll probably be on the news tonight if you want to check.

Have a look at the eis Twitter feed. Dozens of photos from picket lines. Rally outside Holyrood also well attended.

Tell me you're not in a union without telling me you're not in a union.

I think if someone's chooses to strike it is ones business where they do it!

@CrabbitBastard This isn't a competition and don't let people make it one. I'm a teacher and would support you in a minute. This is about solidarity for all workers, we are all being ground down.

We're not on strike for a pay rise. We're on strike to be paid the same as we were last year, with inflation. To accept anything else devalues us.

Any teacher who was in the EIS or AHDS and didn't strike today should join a non striking union. This will take them out of difficult situations and won't undermine the strike action. To remain in a striking union and refuse to participate is not in the spirit of unionisation.

As it happens, it's time for everyone to start working their 35 hours and no more. If it's not done, walk away.

I agree with this entirely but the way our profession has gone you are FAR more likely to get people to strike than to refuse to do over their 35 hours. Presenteeism is rife in education, certainly where I am and in the schools around me.

@Fannyann0

In PKC the picket was at the Council as the school was shut. No point picketing an empty building.

@gawditswindy You're so right. The culture of teaching is so toxic that it demands that you claim that you're so busy and work all the hours god sends. It's absolutely true that if you wanted to you could give yourself so many jobs you'd never be finished, but who would do that? I'm very strict with my work hours, 8.30 - 3.30 plus collegiate time. I'm absolutely on top of my work and have no complaints from management.

As a parent of an ASD/ADHD child I support these strikes. My son's teachers and the PSA staff work incredibly hard and often under very challenging circumstances. He has thrived in the mainstream school he is in due to the teaching and PSA staff. My other 2 nuerotypical children now attend this school and also are thriving. In real time earnings with the cost of living rises teaching staff and PSA staff wages have gone down considerably. Teaching staffs mortgages, rents, energy and food bills have all gone up but there wages haven't. They need to and it shouldn't take a strike for that to happen.

Eis to strike for 16 days over January and February. All local councils to have one day of strike action. That's in addition to the already publicised early January dates.

Solidarity to all teachers. They do an incredible job and deserve to be paid a fair wage.

Thank you, @Fundays12 and @Notplayingball