Strike 'etiquette' advice needed from Union rep or fellow teachers

[shybairnsgetnowt]

Ok - so first post!

I work part time and have done in the school since Sept. This will be my first strike. How does it work?

I realise we do not have to 'declare' if we are going to strike.

My concern is - if I do (and I joined the NUT to be in a union that I felt would act when things needed changing) - do I leave work for my classes, do I tell my HOD? They will not find out i'm not in until my class is teacherless and I don't show - my lessons are not until after break.

I have only 2 classes - but one is Yr11 so feel the exams are looming etc so can set a past paper for them. Useful but no need for me to be there while they complete.

I have no idea how 'union -orientated' the school is, but know it is open on the day with only one year group being 'off' that day.

Tried to find my union rep today but to no avail, and I'm not back in until Tues for a few short hours, with no time to prep anything due to other external commitments.

What do you/I do??? Part of me feels like going in anyway, but the govt and Gove incense me so much I feel that would be morally wrong...

You don't set work if you're on strike, it's not like being off sick. Ring the regional nut office if you want other advice - i don't think it would hurt to give some notice of the strike, i don't know what the 'official' view on this is though.

I will just be informing the head that I'm striking. Out of courtesy rather than obligation. There will be no further discussion of the matter with her. I don't teach whole classes though so actually no other staff are really affected by my not being there.

I thought you did have to declare industrial action in whatever form that is, be it work to rule, leaving an hour early, full days strike etc.

Have you been balloted fully on this? If not school can says it unauthorised legal action and the union will be in a whole heap of trouble.

Thank you - I have emailed the local office, but no idea how long a reply might take, which is why I posted on here. I'm in such a muddle! It's not the kids fault the system is in a mess....but whats the point of joining the union if I don't follow them

Just feel GCSE lessons are vanishing......

The Union has to give the school an indication of staff numbers but not individuals......headache for organising cover!

As I say, I've not been involved before...

I feel like I should let them know...then leave meaningful work for my 2 classes....

Wish Gove would just see some sense :(

It seems like such a secret club, yet on the day everyone will know whether you are involved or not :~

You don't have to ring in (though it is courteous) or set work ahead. It is an official strike so they will be expecting it.

Have you tried the NUT helpline 020 3006 6266?

That might provide you with some quick advice

You do not need to inform anyone of your intention to strike, the NUT will have contacted your school 7 days before the strike informing them of numbers.
As a strike is withdrawal of labour you should not set cover work. If you have any more questions there is loads of information on the NUT website:

www.teachers.org.uk/action-to-defend-teachers-FAQs

You don't have to give advance notice.

But think about the impact you want the strike to have, and how much parental support is necessary to achieve the aims.

Parents like to know if they are going to need to make alternative arrangements on a day when they would otherwise expect their children to be learning in school. Giving them a bit of time to make those arrangements does not reduce the key effect of striking, but does help maintain their support.

You shouldn't be leaving cover work, and other teachers shouldn't really be covering for a striking teacher. The whole point of a strike is to inconvenience and disrupt.

I would inform the school that I was going to be out, the rest would be their problem.

If you were desperately worried about your Y11, you could give them a past paper and direct them to the solutions on the internet so that they had something to do that didn't actually create any work for you. No planning, no marking.

SuffolkNWhat, our HT, did exactly that, went around and asked everyone!
Only 3 teachers at our school out.

Do not leave work - you are breaking your own strike if you do.

My HT has looked up who is in the NUT, assumed they'll all be striking and decided to close school to students in yrs 7-10. She did the same last time, although in the end there weren't that many people off.

At our school we have all told the head we are striking - seems unprofessional not to - and he has made the decision to close the school to pupils. He has not tried to persuade people not to strike . People in other unions have to come in (and sign in) on that day and will have pupil-free time to plan and mark and be paid for it...