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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Any striking Scottish teachers here? Looking for advice on staffroom politics re non striking colleagues.

15 replies

ToooOldForThis · 15/01/2023 18:37

I am striking...I'm not 100% convinced about it and am not picketing. But I voted for it and will see it through, and feel it's something we need to be united on. I can just about afford the loss of wages but not comfortably and will probably incurr a small amount of debt which I hope any back pay can cover. I work full time, DH works ft but is paid slightly less in another public sector role. Just trying to give a picture of where I'm coming from.

School is increasingly tense at the moment, with a small staff divided roughly 50/50 between striking and non striking. SLT are not (saying it will affect pensions...and quite frankly I don't think they are needing it). The teaching staff who are not have mixed reasons, but there is definitely also an element of trying to stay on the right side of SLT.

There is a horrible atmosphere, I struggle hugely with the social dynamics at work anyway to the point it causes terrible anxiety. But this has made it worse.

I don't know what my question is really! Is anyone else experiencing this? I find it so difficult.

OP posts:
TheTeacherSays · 15/01/2023 20:24

Ours is very pro, which does make it easier, but most people are starting to say they can't really afford it. The plans for Feb-Mar are worrying me.

I'd just try and keep your head up and stay quiet. 'One of those things' and non-statements like that.

Original poster
ToooOldForThis · 15/01/2023 20:32

Thank you, I appreciate you replying. I wish our SLT were supportive, it is creating even more of a "them and us" environment. The staff who are not striking are becoming a tight/closed little group.
I completely understand people feeling uncomfortable about it, but I just we need to stick together.

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TheTeacherSays · 15/01/2023 20:51

It's a very difficult situation. Hopefully we get an offer quickly and it blows over.

thebookeatinggirl · 16/01/2023 17:23

I am NEU and voted to strike. I feel particularly strongly about the pay rise not being funded, but taken from existing budgets. My problem now is that I work in a one form entry school and am the only NEU member. There were others until recently. There are members of NASUWT who voted to strike, but of course they didn't reach the needed percentages. So now it's likely that I will be the only one to strike and my class will be the only one where children have to stay at home. That feels like horrible pressure, and I know that parents will be up in arms. I have an awkward conversation to have with the Head tomorrow.

thebookeatinggirl · 16/01/2023 18:17

Sorry - realised this was about Scottish teachers... no help, I'm afraid.

MrsHamlet · 16/01/2023 18:18

I have an awkward conversation to have with the Head tomorrow.
You do know that you're not obliged to give notice that you intend to strike, don't you?

thebookeatinggirl · 16/01/2023 19:25

Yup. I know. But for me, that would be a step too far and although I fully intend to strike, I will talk to my Head before hand. Parents will be cross enough already without a 'No notice' day of finding childcare, and I know that disruption is the point, but I want them to know in advance too. I also want him to know that any flak from parents will be passed straight on to him - I will not engage with angry parents personally (I'm thinking about Class Dojo messaging) and would expect him to respond. That's the tricky bit.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 16/01/2023 22:24

thebookeatinggirl · 16/01/2023 17:23

I am NEU and voted to strike. I feel particularly strongly about the pay rise not being funded, but taken from existing budgets. My problem now is that I work in a one form entry school and am the only NEU member. There were others until recently. There are members of NASUWT who voted to strike, but of course they didn't reach the needed percentages. So now it's likely that I will be the only one to strike and my class will be the only one where children have to stay at home. That feels like horrible pressure, and I know that parents will be up in arms. I have an awkward conversation to have with the Head tomorrow.

They could join NEU for a few months and join you, if they're keen to strike?

Why not talk to them about it?

Does the head know you are the only NEU member? If not, I wouldn't tell him that - are you even sure that's the case?

Original poster
ToooOldForThis · 16/01/2023 23:23

Would they not cover your class if it's just you? Our whole school gets closed by the LA but we're almost at the point now where it could stay open.

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Postapocalypticcowgirl · 17/01/2023 07:09

ToooOldForThis · 16/01/2023 23:23

Would they not cover your class if it's just you? Our whole school gets closed by the LA but we're almost at the point now where it could stay open.

In England Only staff who are routinely employed for cover can be asked to cover someone who is striking.

So say you had PPA on a strike day and that was routinely covered by a teacher who was not striking, then they could cover that part of the day as normal. But other members of staff could refuse.

The head could cover themselves I guess. But the head doesn't know for certain who is in the union.

Original poster
ToooOldForThis · 17/01/2023 08:51

Aah yes of course I hadn't thought of that. It's so difficult.
We now have growing tension between those who are striking and those who are not.

OP posts:
RaraRachael · 17/01/2023 15:06

We have 2 teachers who for financial reasons didn't strike on the last 2 days or intend to on the rolling programme. There hasn't been a problem with the rest of the staff as there are 11 other class teachers who are striking,

Original poster
ToooOldForThis · 18/01/2023 22:21

We only had 2 who didn't strike the 1st time. 1 for financial reasons, one very openly against striking in principle, absolutely fair enough.
Now we are looking at all but 2 going into work the next time.
I feel very strongly that if I want to accept the pay rise I need to join the strike. They feel they don't need to bother.
I know I can't do anything about it,just feel very down hearted!

OP posts:
Postapocalypticcowgirl · 19/01/2023 07:09

ToooOldForThis · 18/01/2023 22:21

We only had 2 who didn't strike the 1st time. 1 for financial reasons, one very openly against striking in principle, absolutely fair enough.
Now we are looking at all but 2 going into work the next time.
I feel very strongly that if I want to accept the pay rise I need to join the strike. They feel they don't need to bother.
I know I can't do anything about it,just feel very down hearted!

Unfortunately, if everyone across Scotland behaves as they have done, there won't be a pay rise, will there? Ministers will see the weakening resolve and know all they have to do is wait you out.

Is there no local hardship fund for your colleague who can't afford it?

Original poster
ToooOldForThis · 19/01/2023 12:06

There is a union hardship fund, but it offers half the amount lost. We've been hit by 2 in the same pay month unfortunately as well.

I can't afford it, and will incurr debt, but I'm planning (I hope not naively) to pay it back with any back pay.

I think the rest just think they can get paid AND get the rise. It's just not my way of thinking at all and I find the awkwardness around it all just so negative and draining.

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