Union

[sistamister]

Hi, I'm a teaching assistant in a primary school, i have worked here for a couple of years now. I'm currently speaking with union about being put on a rota to work extra hours over contracted hours.
I basically need to tell the head teacher that I'm not doing it anymore.
Already had a meeting before contacting the union, and I was told by the head to basically shut up and get on with it. So, as you can imagine me going to the union and standing up to the head is so daunting.
I am the only TA who is willing to stand up, although others are not happy doing these extra hours. A time sheet is filled in with these extra hours and paid at a flat rate.
Anyone ever went to the union alone and had a positive outcome.
Thanks for reading.

Anyone, please, I'm so nervous about going against the head and being pushed out

Ring your union, and get advice. Go from there. They will advise you on what to do next and what the legal status is. The Headteacher will have to do what the law states. Just be aware that the Head probably won't like it, should you take this route, and you might need to move schools but I would have this conversation with the union.

Thank you for replying. I have contacted the union and have been told what I need to do next. Which is what I'm worrying about.

What have the union suggested? I know they can be direct and militant at times, making it difficult to do what they suggest. I would be tempted to email your Head and ask to speak to them in a meeting. Come up with a plan of what you will say "I am so sorry to ask, but I am worried about letting the school down with this extra rota because I have to be back home because of a, b, c. Is there any possibility I could be taken off this rota for the moment as I am having these issues to deal with at home. " If they don't help you, I would suggest there are probably better schools around with more understanding Heads and I would be looking for a new school.

The union has told me to email the head and say I'm only working my contracted hours. This is after me already having a meeting with the head teacher, crying about finding childcare for my own children because I'm working these extra hours. Also, my mental health is at an all-time low. For the head to basically tell me it's not going to change, so I need to get on with it.
There are other issues around the school which I wish other TAs would all stand together. But they are all scared.

Sounds awful. A headteacher abusing their powers. Very difficult situation. You could legally email the Head and say that you have support from the union. The Head would have to back down, but they could make your life difficult. I think I would grin and bare it for the moment and look for another job. What an awful Head it sounds like.

Yes, I think I'm going to have to get on with it for now.
I haven't got the mental power at the moment to fight it.
Thank you for your replies.