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Secondary education

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Original poster

NUT plan to strike 24 April - I know nothing about union stuff, how does this all work?

70 replies

roisin · 01/04/2008 20:55

If the strike goes ahead, I presume schools will not be open to students, but that staff from other unions will go in to work; but obviously not teach the kids.

Is that correct?

OP posts:
Fimbo · 17/04/2008 16:44

DD's school (junior) is closed on the 24th.

DS's school (first and nursery) is not.

Fimbo · 17/04/2008 16:44

In the local paper last night, it said most schools would only get 48hrs notice of closure.

SoMuchToBits · 17/04/2008 16:45

Our (primary) school has sent a letter saying only two classes (out of 14) should go in that day, as all the other teachers are striking. Letter also says it is not lawful to get oyher staff in to cover striking staff. All non-NUT staff will be in school. So I suspect that there will be 2 teachers, and quite a few TAs around that day (I am assuming TAs will be in a different Union, as they are not actually teachers).

Ds is quite pleased his teacher is in the NUT, as he would quite like a day off...

corblimeymadam · 17/04/2008 16:47

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fizzbuzz · 17/04/2008 16:51

And Mrs G, is your concern about your dc's education, which will not be harmed by one day off school, OR about the fact that you have to organise childcare?

Schools are about education, NOT childcare, FGS, I bet the Tolpuddle Martyrs are turning in their grave at that comment

Thank God we have unions to protect us from stupid attitudes like that

ellingwoman · 17/04/2008 16:52

MrsGuy - I think most teachers belong to a union anyway so it wouldn't help.

Have just heard dd3's primary school closing with just over 50% striking. We haven't been informed at my school one way or the other yet.

fizzbuzz · 17/04/2008 16:54

And Mrs G, is your concern about your dc's education, which will not be harmed by one day off school, OR about the fact that you have to organise childcare?

Schools are about education, NOT childcare, FGS, I bet the Tolpuddle Martyrs are turning in their grave at that comment

Thank God we have unions to protect us from stupid attitudes like that

twinsetandpearls · 17/04/2008 16:56

Mrs G I don;t know of any teachers who are not in a union, for our own safety is is very unwise not to be in a union.

Most teachers would be in NUT or NASUWT as well so having that infomaration is just collecting data for the sake of it,

lulumama · 17/04/2008 16:57

how bizarre to want to know which teachers belong to which union, you would not expect to know their political leanings, would you?

teachers being treated and paid better witll be a bonus for your childrens; education

got a letter yesterday saying that no school next thursday due to health and safety/ lack of cover for his class..

he is gutted as i said i will be taking him to mums & tots with DD!!

twinsetandpearls · 17/04/2008 16:58

We don't know the situation yet either in dd school or where I teach. Our school is mainly NAS so I don;t know if we will be affected.

fizzbuzz · 17/04/2008 17:00

Y9, 11, 12, and 13 are in in our school...

twinsetandpearls · 17/04/2008 17:01

We are still on the spring/ delayed easter break. We may get told when we return on Monday.

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 17/04/2008 17:16

I entirely agree that my child's education will not be damaged by one or many days off school - but try telling the head that when you want to take them out for a day!
I do not see why parents should not be made aware of teachers affiliations -ie are they NUT or other saner unions? We will know anyway when they don't turn up for work next Thursday. After the many barmy ideas that were put forward at the NUT conference earlier this month, it would be useful to know which schools have a high or low proportion of teachers supporting those views.

hercules1 · 17/04/2008 17:18

But it's none of your business what affiliation teachers have. I'm not interested in yours and I am sure you wouldnt tell me. Why should I tell you mine?

hercules1 · 17/04/2008 17:20

It's not the head who makes the fuss about you taking your child out. It's the government who monitors these figures and tells the schools off.
But absence rates are open to the public eye so I guess your school is more likely to be judged by parents taking their kids off school than the union thing anyway.

hercules1 · 17/04/2008 17:21

Nor is it up to the head if teachers strike...

Peachy · 17/04/2008 17:25

the 3 classes with nut teachers at our school are closed, all others in

thats ds1 off then

damnit

fizzbuzz · 17/04/2008 17:31

Ds (Y9) said his form went into revolt when they were given letters saying they had to go in.

I am still trying to calm his adolescent fury now!

Lucycat · 17/04/2008 17:32

Many members of the 'barmy NUT', (your views not mine), did not vote to strike, but if your Union decides that striking is what is necessary then imo that is what you do as a member of that union. Can you remember when teacher's last had a strike? no me neither.

I have one child in school, one not next week and I wholeheartedly support the teachers.

hana · 17/04/2008 17:37

do you lose a day's pay if the strike is on a day that you do not work? (hopefully??)

fizzbuzz · 17/04/2008 17:43

"Barmy NUT" "Looney Lefties" Do people still think like that?

I'm not even in the NUT, but I wish NAS was on strike as well, and voted for it in ballot. I will support my NUT colleagues to the hilt in this.

Peachy · 17/04/2008 17:43

cant see how you would hana.

the right to strike is essential in all trades- and to be in a union. people at dh's work tend to become surplus if they join one, which removes all their power

will have to look up the issues here, not sure what the strike is over exactly

barmy ideas? i thought the whole pint of conferences etc was that any idea could be proposed- its the vote that matters. and you go with the majority.

hercules1 · 17/04/2008 17:43

No!

corblimeymadam · 17/04/2008 18:27

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TwoToTango · 17/04/2008 18:55

Our school is open on 24th but there may also be a strike on 23rd (local council) so I suppose some schools in B'ham could be closed on 23rd and 24th.