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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

Supporting non-striking colleague

21 replies

whateveryousay · 24/04/2023 21:00

I’m a TA in a primary school. Most of the teachers, including my class teacher, are striking on Thursday. One teacher in a different year group chooses not to strike. However, her TA is unable to come in ‘as normal’ due to having young children, so the teacher asked me to help out instead last time.
I did help, as I felt a bit on the spot, but in anticipation of being asked again on Thursday, what would you do?
I prefer to support my striking colleagues, personally.

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 24/04/2023 21:03

If your job would normally involve you covering for absent colleagues, then they can ask and you should do it. If you're not striking, to refuse could be a breach of contract.
If it doesn't, then you can say no.

Original poster
whateveryousay · 24/04/2023 21:13

Thank you. Do you mean my job specifically, or the role of TA in general in my school? I am never personally asked to cover absent colleagues, as I work 1:1 with a challenging child. However other TAs are often moved to cover absences.

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 24/04/2023 21:33

Your contract specifically.
I have a teacher colleague employed to cover. She will be allocated cover on the strike days because it's her job. I won't be because it's not mine.

Darcy212 · 25/04/2023 07:57

I can see your predicament. However, you wouldn't be 'covering' a striking colleague, you would be covering an absent colleague. Different circumstances. If your challenging 1:1 student was absent on a typical day, I expect that you would be asked to help out elsewhere - so I think it's a fair request in this case.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 25/04/2023 19:16

You could refuse to cross the picket line if there is a physical picket line at your school. (If you want the specific NEU advice on this- does not apply to members- let me know)

What normally happens if your 1:1 child is absent?

You cannot be asked to do something that you would not normally do on a strike day.

Original poster
whateveryousay · 25/04/2023 20:57

There is no picket line at my school, at least there hasn’t been so far.
On the rare occasions that my 1:1 is absent, I remain in my usual class and support other pupils.
I have pretty much decided that if the teacher asks me, I will tell her that I am not comfortable supporting her, as I support the strike action. If SLT then ask, I will tell them the same. If they insist that it’s in my contract then I will do it, but I’ll at least I will have tried to make a point 🤷🏼‍♀️.
As far as I’m aware, SLT are supportive of the strikes, so hopefully they will have some empathy.

OP posts:
Postapocalypticcowgirl · 25/04/2023 21:53

whateveryousay · 25/04/2023 20:57

There is no picket line at my school, at least there hasn’t been so far.
On the rare occasions that my 1:1 is absent, I remain in my usual class and support other pupils.
I have pretty much decided that if the teacher asks me, I will tell her that I am not comfortable supporting her, as I support the strike action. If SLT then ask, I will tell them the same. If they insist that it’s in my contract then I will do it, but I’ll at least I will have tried to make a point 🤷🏼‍♀️.
As far as I’m aware, SLT are supportive of the strikes, so hopefully they will have some empathy.

That sounds good to me- as you say at least you've made your point.

If you've got an NEU rep in school I'd consider asking them to picket, and then you could choose not to cross.

ThanksItHasPockets · 26/04/2023 06:58

Is your colleague a member of NEU and choosing not to strike or a member of a different union?

Beekdet · 26/04/2023 17:13

If the other teacher is working as normal, and you are (as you have no mandate to strike) why on earth wouldn't you support HER?

You're not breaking the strike. Your usual teacher's class still won't have their usual teacher because she's withdrawing her labour.

If you were being asked to teach the class on the teacher's behalf you'd be undermining her, but I don't see how this is the case.

Original poster
whateveryousay · 26/04/2023 18:33

The colleague is a member of the NEU, and is choosing not to strike ‘because they have a mortgage to pay’.
I choose not to support her if possible 🤷🏼‍♀️.

OP posts:
ThanksItHasPockets · 26/04/2023 18:40

Well, you can decline her request if you wish but you should be aware that refusing to support in the classroom of a colleague who has crossed the picket is not the same as refusing to cover a striking colleague and if you are directed to do so by the headteacher it would be unwise to refuse. The most you can do is request that the instruction is provided in writing and forward this to your union, but I am pretty sure that they will advise you that it isn’t against the letter of the guidance, even if you understandably feel that it is against the spirit.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 26/04/2023 19:09

Beekdet · 26/04/2023 17:13

If the other teacher is working as normal, and you are (as you have no mandate to strike) why on earth wouldn't you support HER?

You're not breaking the strike. Your usual teacher's class still won't have their usual teacher because she's withdrawing her labour.

If you were being asked to teach the class on the teacher's behalf you'd be undermining her, but I don't see how this is the case.

Presumably because OP supports the strikes, and the person coming in ought to be striking, but is putting their own self interest before the interest of the children.

I wouldn't want to support them in this situation either.

Original poster
whateveryousay · 26/04/2023 20:51

Yes, that pretty much sums it up.

OP posts:
Ginandrosemary · 27/04/2023 09:24

My TA is in today and I am striking. Our school is closed so she will be doing admin etc. She supports me 100% and is glad I am striking however I know she would also step in and help another teacher if they were on their own. I feel like you need to help your colleagues who are in- it is a lot of money to miss out on each time we strike and if the teacher cannot afford then she cannot. I don't think it's your place to judge her. You can support the strike by posting on social media etc. What will you do if you're not supporting this teacher?

Original poster
whateveryousay · 27/04/2023 15:16

I spent the day doing admin. She asked me to cover her break and lunch. I said that I would rather not. The DHT did in the end.
Hopefully she won’t ask next week now that I’ve explained my feelings.
I wasn’t judging her, and I wasn’t unpleasant. I have different views to her regarding the strike, and I am entitled to have them.
I did say to her that if SLT told me that I had to cover her, then I would. But they didn’t.

OP posts:
Gymrabbit · 04/05/2023 21:23

If I was your HT you’d be out of the door.

You wouldn’t be covering for a striking colleague but for an absent one in this circumstance.. You are basically refusing to work for a teacher because you don’t agree with her stance on strikes.
disgusting and nasty.

Gymrabbit · 04/05/2023 21:26

Postapocalypticcowgirl

When you say ‘ought to be striking’ do you mean because she’s a member of a union who is striking?
maybe she voted against strike action - lots of people did.
We don’t live in a communist state, she doesn’t have to strike if she doesn’t want to.

JimmyGrimble · 04/05/2023 22:21

Gymrabbit · 04/05/2023 21:23

If I was your HT you’d be out of the door.

You wouldn’t be covering for a striking colleague but for an absent one in this circumstance.. You are basically refusing to work for a teacher because you don’t agree with her stance on strikes.
disgusting and nasty.

Oh behave yourself. OP has explained that she wasn’t nasty at all. The teacher, as a member of a union, should abide by democratically decided union decisions. That’s the whole point. Or join another union. Thanks for your support OP.

JimmyGrimble · 04/05/2023 22:23

Gymrabbit · 04/05/2023 21:26

Postapocalypticcowgirl

When you say ‘ought to be striking’ do you mean because she’s a member of a union who is striking?
maybe she voted against strike action - lots of people did.
We don’t live in a communist state, she doesn’t have to strike if she doesn’t want to.

So what if she voted against? The majority voted for. That’s the point of being in a union.
communist state 😂

Gymrabbit · 04/05/2023 22:42

The OP is refusing to do her job which consists of supporting members of staff at her school because of the political stance of the other teacher. Completely
unacceptable. It is not in any way undermining striking colleagues to help a teacher who is in. I would support the OP if she had been asked to cover for a striking teacher as that wouldn’t be acceptable.
I really hope she told the teacher the full truth- that she was refusing to help her as she didn’t approve of her decision to not strike.
She’s a nasty, petty person and all the staff should be aware.

Original poster
whateveryousay · 05/05/2023 05:16

Aw well 🤷🏼‍♀️ Like I said upthread, we are all entitled to an opinion 😂

OP posts:
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