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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

I didn't vote to strike so what will I do?

40 replies

SoBizarre · 17/01/2023 11:20

I didn't vote at all in the ballot for personal reasons.

I teach part time and one of the strike days will be on a day I normally work. Do I go into work as normal on that day? I've not encountered this situation before so I'm not sure what happens.

Thank you

OP posts:
Sucessinthenewyear · 17/01/2023 11:22

You have a choice to strike or not. It’s a personal decision.

Margo34 · 17/01/2023 11:26

If you're in the union, surely you support the union regardless of your reasons for not voting.

Original poster
SoBizarre · 17/01/2023 11:59

All I wanted to know is what will happen on that day I'm meant to be in?

OP posts:
Margo34 · 17/01/2023 14:10

SoBizarre · 17/01/2023 11:59

All I wanted to know is what will happen on that day I'm meant to be in?

Teachers in support of the union will be striking and won't be in.

RaraRachael · 17/01/2023 15:03

At our school 2 members of staff chose not to go on strike so they came into school and did some work. Not sure what exactly but their classes weren't in and they weren't expected to set work on do online teaching,

Original poster
SoBizarre · 17/01/2023 15:11

RaraRachael · 17/01/2023 15:03

At our school 2 members of staff chose not to go on strike so they came into school and did some work. Not sure what exactly but their classes weren't in and they weren't expected to set work on do online teaching,

Thank you. That's what I was wondering but wasn't exactly sure.

OP posts:
Margo34 · 17/01/2023 15:22

SoBizarre · 17/01/2023 15:11

Thank you. That's what I was wondering but wasn't exactly sure.

Show quote history

It will be different for every school though depending on staffing numbers available on the day. Some schools may close, some may still open. Some may be open to staff only, some may not be. It will be a wait and see on the day for anything specific.

Iamnotthe1 · 17/01/2023 17:57

SoBizarre · 17/01/2023 11:59

All I wanted to know is what will happen on that day I'm meant to be in?

Headteachers are being instructed to keep schools open as fully as possible and have been told that they, essentially, just need a warm body in front of the children in order to do so. Therefore, if your school is open, you will likely find one of the following:

  • you will be asked to plan lessons for those covering for striking staff,
  • you will be redeployed into "priority" year groups/classes,
  • your school will go off curriculum and you'l be given as many kids as possible in one room (or hall) and told to just babysit them for the day,
  • your class is left running as normal but the above happens to the classes of striking staff.
Postapocalypticcowgirl · 17/01/2023 19:11

Iamnotthe1 · 17/01/2023 17:57

Headteachers are being instructed to keep schools open as fully as possible and have been told that they, essentially, just need a warm body in front of the children in order to do so. Therefore, if your school is open, you will likely find one of the following:

  • you will be asked to plan lessons for those covering for striking staff,
  • you will be redeployed into "priority" year groups/classes,
  • your school will go off curriculum and you'l be given as many kids as possible in one room (or hall) and told to just babysit them for the day,
  • your class is left running as normal but the above happens to the classes of striking staff.
Show quote history

Teaching staff who are not striking should, and legally can refuse to do anything but the latter. Support staff who are not normally employed to cover can refuse to do anything but their normal duties.

If you're in the NEU and a teacher, you should strike, though- if you want your union to support you when you need it, then really you should support the outcome of the ballot.

Greywhippet · 17/01/2023 19:16

If you plan on taking the pay rise that will be won as a result of these strikes then you should join your union action and not be a scab. Going to work when your colleagues are striking is scanning and whatever your excuse it is a reprehensible thing to do. The more people break the strike the less effective it will be. If you joined a union for insurance rather than solidarity purposes then you should join edapt

Silentmama · 17/01/2023 19:17

If you are in the NEU and decide not to strike- then leave the union and join a non striking one.

Greywhippet · 17/01/2023 19:17

Scabbing, not scanning! Why don’t you want to strike anyway? Have you not noticed the conditions we are working in or the real terms pay cut?

tfh · 17/01/2023 19:49

This has everything you need to know: www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/teacher-strikes-pay-schools-qa-everything-you-need-know

ilovesooty · 18/01/2023 11:24

Greywhippet · 17/01/2023 19:16

If you plan on taking the pay rise that will be won as a result of these strikes then you should join your union action and not be a scab. Going to work when your colleagues are striking is scanning and whatever your excuse it is a reprehensible thing to do. The more people break the strike the less effective it will be. If you joined a union for insurance rather than solidarity purposes then you should join edapt

Exactly.

mirabella17 · 18/01/2023 14:27

You don't have to strike if you're in the union but you will have to go to work (even if the school is closed to pupils) as you will still be paid (whereas striking staff will not).

Judging from the responses from some on this thread, I wouldn't tell anyone your plans, and it's nobody's business anyway. We are all entitled to our opinion and our choice of actions.

Making you feel guilty for not striking is bullying, imho.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 18/01/2023 17:09

mirabella17 · 18/01/2023 14:27

You don't have to strike if you're in the union but you will have to go to work (even if the school is closed to pupils) as you will still be paid (whereas striking staff will not).

Judging from the responses from some on this thread, I wouldn't tell anyone your plans, and it's nobody's business anyway. We are all entitled to our opinion and our choice of actions.

Making you feel guilty for not striking is bullying, imho.

But you'd presumably expect your union rep- who is a volunteer- to continue to represent you if you needed it?

I think that's pretty unfair.

Plenty of people are swapping to NEU to strike, so if you don't want to strike, why not swap to a different union? Edapt are a non-striking union.

mirabella17 · 18/01/2023 17:51

I didn't say I wasn't going to strike. I'm just not going to make people feel guilty if they choose not to. Not everyone can afford 5 days loss of pay.

Takoneko · 18/01/2023 18:30

People don’t need to swap to the NEU to strike. It’s a legal strike so anyone who is party to the dispute can choose to strike if they wish and they are legally protected in the same way as members of the NEU.

NEU members do not have to strike. I would always personally go on strike if my union call me out and plan to vote for strike action in the ASCL ballot, but I think talk of ‘scabs’ is unpleasant and wrong. I’m financially comfortable enough that I don’t need to worry too much about a few days pay, but not everyone is in that position. I’ve seen colleagues in tears this week because they want to support the strike but are worried about paying their bills in March.

Margo34 · 18/01/2023 19:36

mirabella17 · 18/01/2023 17:51

I didn't say I wasn't going to strike. I'm just not going to make people feel guilty if they choose not to. Not everyone can afford 5 days loss of pay.

So paying fees to be part of a union that you don't support does make economical sense to you, does it?

Why bother paying to join a union and expecting to be represented or helped by that union if you don't intend support what the union is trying to achieve on your behalf?

Greywhippet · 18/01/2023 19:57

I disagree that it is wrong to use the word scab. It is far more unpleasant and wrong to not support your union and colleagues in their action than to use a word. People don’t like the word because they know that scabbing is wrong. It weakens the case of the union, demeans the action and gives the upper hand to the government/ employer. It’s hard for us all and I can’t make it to the end of the month atm let alone lose pay but hell would freeze over before I would put myself above others and scab

good96 · 19/01/2023 11:13

My school will be closing as majority are going on strike - those who aren’t have been given the option to either work from school - admin/planning etc or work from home.
No teaching will be taking place.

Lolamorte · 19/01/2023 18:25

If you’re part of a union going on strike, you strike on that day. Whether you chose to vote in the ballot or not, if your union strikes, you strike.

Clarabellawilliamson · 19/01/2023 19:04

@Takoneko - that's not quite right, if you are a member of NEU or not a member of ANY union then you can join the strike, but people who are members of NASUWT are not protected by strike legislation, so should not join.

Greywhippet · 19/01/2023 19:17

People who are in NASUWT are protected if there is a picket line and they don’t cross it. but anyone is NASUWT who voted to strike should join the NEU and strike with them

Takoneko · 20/01/2023 08:57

I stand corrected. Thanks for clarifying.