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Original poster

Do we all have an indisputable right to inflationary or higher annual pay raises? And if we don't get them...

135 replies

AtheneNoctua · 22/04/2008 16:30

is striking a just response?

I'm of course thinking of Thursday's teachers' strike. But, really they are not the only ones to go on stirke because their pay rises are not in line with inflation.

So what do you think?
Do you always get an inflationary pay rise?
What would you do if you didn't?

I'm undecided on whether or not I think the teachers' strike is an appropriate response to their pay rises. I do appreciate they don't make a lot of money. But, then they knew that when they decided to become teachers.

Discuss please...

OP posts:
UnquietDad · 22/04/2008 16:32

But anyone who thinks they have an easy time could have become a teacher themselves. Which they inevitably don't want to do...

Pablop · 22/04/2008 16:33

I thought teachers did make a lot of money plus good holidays. I expect to be shot down now!

Novicecamper · 22/04/2008 16:35

I'm self employed and my rates have been the same since 2001 - so, er, nope, I've not had a 'payrise' since then.

Novicecamper · 22/04/2008 16:35

And I don't get 13 weeks holiday a year either - in fact I don't get any that are paid.

Lauriefairycake · 22/04/2008 16:36

It depends how long you have been underpaid for - their salaries have not kept pace with other public sector salaries for the last 20 years, leaving them underpaid in some areas like the southeast - my dh gets a London weighting of £1800 - doesn't exactly go far.

UnquietDad · 22/04/2008 16:38

Well, depends what you call "a lot" I suppose. Compared to a teaching assistant or a voluntary sector worker, yes. Compared to similarly qualified and experienced graduate-level professionals in many other jobs, no.

Having said all that, I too am self-employed and don't get a "pay rise"!

I think the real grrrr should be saved for those in jobs where they get "bonuses" for doing fuck-all.

QuitePossiblyUnreasonable · 22/04/2008 16:38

But if pay rises don't keep track with inflation, they're having a pay cut in effect. And you can't compare working conditions for teachers with self employed. The point is, Novicecamper, you're self employed! You control your own terms and conditions therefore. Teachers don't have that control.

Remotew · 22/04/2008 16:39

In the private sector (private companies, not schools) you are not guaranteed pay rises at all certainly not annually. Workers in the public sector dont always realise this.

Lauriefairycake · 22/04/2008 16:39

13 weeks holiday - that's almost funny.

he takes 2 weeks in summer - the rest of the time he works - yesterday (as usual) he worked a 12 hour day, he marked all weekend.

It is not an easy job and I'm not asking anyone to break out the violins but he does not get 13 weeks holiday!

UnquietDad · 22/04/2008 16:39

novicecamper - the 13 weeks' holiday is factored into the pay. If they were paid over 48 weeks they'd be on more - they're paid over 39.

Novicecamper · 22/04/2008 16:39

'I think the real grrrr should be saved for those in jobs where they get "bonuses" for doing fuck-all.'

Indeed

Greensleeves · 22/04/2008 16:39

My dh hasn't had a pay rise for nearly 4 years. I think it's atrocious, but he won't complain.

Original poster
AtheneNoctua · 22/04/2008 16:40

Oh, yes, they do get a lot of holidays.

Anyone know what the average teachers salary is? Say, someone with 20 years experience?

OP posts:
Novicecamper · 22/04/2008 16:40

Really?

Give me a ball park what they are paid - an average primary school teacher for example. In the 20s?

UnquietDad · 22/04/2008 16:41

A lot of people in these "bonus" jobs don't realise how lucky they are. They just assume the "bonus" will come along every year.

Lauriefairycake · 22/04/2008 16:41

he loves his job and it gives him lots of satisfaction but he does not do it for money (ho-ho) or holidays (even bigger ho-ho)

No, no - he has a vocation

Mercy · 22/04/2008 16:41

Pablop, some teachers earn decent money but I think that's generally those in London, with a specialism, extra/management responsibilities and have been in the job for a while - but they work longer hours as a result.

I've been on strike several times during my working life, always for higher pay (public sector). It's not necessarily a right but it's worth fighting for when you compare pay and conditions.

Novicecamper · 22/04/2008 16:42

Well I know plenty of teachers and a couple of headteachers and they certainly get more time off than anyone else I know with a full-time job.

I'm not saying they don't do a great job and they work bloody hard but I don't think they have the worst time in teh world.

UnquietDad · 22/04/2008 16:43

athene - for someone in secondary, at the top of the scale (say 13-14 years' experience) and with no extra responsibility points, it is around £30K.

Lauriefairycake · 22/04/2008 16:43

totally right Mercy - he has extra resposibilities and has been in the job 5 years and teaches 8 subjects (secondary)

He works 60 plus hours a week so yes, it's not equivalent to other graduate management jobs.

QuitePossiblyUnreasonable · 22/04/2008 16:44

But what would you prefer them to do with the holidays? Isn't the alternative to open schools for longer so teachers don't get these "perks"???

Or perhaps we should make them clear roadside verges or paint train stations?

Lauriefairycake · 22/04/2008 16:46

what you find is that they get allocated the holidays (obviously) but they don't take them or do shed-loads of planning in term time and lots of marking evenings and weekends.

Right now my dh is in the worst term and working 12 hour days - I really never see him.

Mercy · 22/04/2008 16:47

I know an NQT , I think she gets about £22k. I also know another teacher who has been teaching for longer and has a specialism and extra responsibility- she earns around £35k. These are London rates btw.

Novicecamper · 22/04/2008 16:47

I don't expect them to do anything with the holidays.

Pablop · 22/04/2008 16:48

Ok Mercy that makes sense, My sil works in London and she does get paid extremely well but is head of department and she does work longer hours.