[Closed] Teachers striking again!!!!!

"Essentially, taking inflation into account, the teachers are getting a pay-cut."

Oh poor teachers...Mrs FD and myself both currently work in the Public sector and have 2 years pay freeze in place, and it looks like our pension is going to be affected too. The government is taking money off us left right and centre in additional taxes (or removing tax benefits) too, so all in all we are taking home less money now than we were 2 years ago. Taking inflation in to account we are getting completely screwed. Yes we are a bit mythed by it because we both work hard.

However

1. We are glad we still have a job that pays a good wage (just like any teacher)

2. In the current climate you are lucky to be in work and not being made redundant!

Both my parents were teachers and I also know many teachers, but some times they do live a bit too far in the own little world bubble

FD - with respect, if you were in a better union, perhaps you wouldn't have had the rough ride you've had.

One thing I've learned over the years - if you don't cause a fuss no one will seek you out for a payrise. AFAIK teachers and a lot of other public sector workers have little recourse to anything other than strike action to make their point in the end.

Pimpmaster Jazz - Member
That's my favourite quote of the day so far.

This guy had a particularly easy time, and was obviously supported all the way through his easy career: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/may/24/teacher-dumbbell-peter-harvey-community-order

I see your "teacher half battering pupil to death" link and raise you the "wonderful public servant" Nigel Leat

Uni lecturers are also on strike on the 30th because many of us are in the same pension scheme as teachers. As the UCU put it:

The average lecturer faces an increase of around £90 a month in exchange for reduced benefits.

The average lecturer faces an increase of around £90 a month in exchange for reduced benefits.

You live in Spain right? I'll have a word with my boss.

While I'm not supporting the strike for various reasons I do find it strange the number of people who are spouting lowest common denominator arguements. Just because you have taken a pay cut or you have ahd your pension cut doesn't mean that someone else automatically should. That is just a race to the bottom and won't benefit any of us.

However, as we're paying for these people to do only 30 weeks 9.00-3.30* to get a gold plated pension I think we should get the water cannons out 😉

*This is in no way true.

which would be against the law.

Which law would that be? Timex, Dundee, 1993 - look it up

Exactly. The current and recent crises have been caused by the removal of the class barriers to education. By pretending that the working classes have the same rights to education as the middle and upper classes we have produced a generation of Bankers, Teachers, Engineers and the like who clearly lack the cultural heritage to carry out those jobs successfully. The issue is that on the surface you can teach a monkey to press buttons, but ultimately, when things go wrong, you need a level head and a steady hand on the tiller and these qualities cannot be attained by just sending a kid from a working class environment through the motions of education. Filter them out early enough and we will avoid these National crises.

Genius. And not written by someone from a blue collar background I presume? 😉

which would be against the law.

Which law would that be? Timex, Dundee, 1993 - look it up

One of the nastiest disputes I can remember,there was a really bad atmosphere right through the city.

I work in the private sector and have had to change my pension arrangements in the last twelve months because of the economic pressures being faced by my employer. My pay has also been frozen for the past two years despite facing longer hours and greater uncertainty. I don't have the option of going on strike, all I can do is get on with things and look for a better job in the meantime.

You could become a science teacher and join the gravy train, there arent enough of them so its easy to get a job.

project - Member

Wasnt meant to be funny, but truth, why do we need a national pay scale, and national conditions, supply and demand, and in working class areas you need working class skills/trades and in the more affluent areas you need more academic lessons, to suit the parents ideologys.

The lab boys are a little busy still with the last one so there might be a delay here.

You are talking shite my friend.

No I'm not, as I said, I'm speaking from personal experience.

I'm a teacher type and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it feels a bit early to strike - I want to see exactly what the government will propose not just what has been recommended. And a totally crap time to strike tbh - A levels and GCSEs have been sat and those kids are on leave - most (secondary) schools can probably cope with a few staff away by the end of this month.

It's a shame though, could be another reason to make teaching a 2nd choice career for many. I don't want to big myself up too much but I got a 1st class degree and won national competitions that marked me out as one of the best grads in my subject that year. I chose teaching above the jobs I could have done in the profession I was qualified for partly because of the job role but also because the whole package didn't look too bad. I calculated I would be (a lot) down on pay but would gain useable chunks of time off and a good pension. If the pension starts to look a little less rosy the more marketable grads like I was all those years ago might look elsewhere.

Another aspect I don't yet understand (need to use my friend Mr Google) is how it will work for someone in my situation. I will have half a career's worth of pension which I could draw from the age of 60 (as the changes won't be retrograde and only effect newly pensionable service) and half a career's worth that I can draw from 67. Do I leave my left hand side in bed in the morning whilst my right hand side goes to work?

You could become a science teacher and join the gravy train, there arent enough of them so its easy to get a job.

I know of a large private organisation shedding 1,000's of UK jobs currently. As part of the outplacement you are offered various courses including inclusing "getting into teaching", it's near the bottom of the list next to "dog grooming franchise".

dog grooming franchise

Oh look teachers having MORE time off, like they don't have enough with flipping inset days and BH's must be a nightmare being a parent, your kids will never be at school.

Oh look pay freeze and increasing pension contributions, accepts it least they have a job. Oh and they can strike! mmmm I can't strike so I'm screwed have to live to accept it, get over it and move on.

no sympathy I'm afraid. I have friends who are teachers, one is on the high potential scheme thing and says being a teacher is easy. Especially secondary school, pick your topic right all your lession programmes, then repeat every year when you get your new year 7's! How hard can that be. Oh and maybe a bit of marking to do, before what 0830 when the kids arrive of after 1545 ....... what a long day that is? Phew, best go lie down (all said tongue in cheek of course ....) 😉

pick your topic [b]right[/b] all your lession programmes, then repeat every year when you get your new year 7's! How hard can that be.

I believe there's a literacy requirement in teaching which rules some people out so maybe harder than [b]you[/b] might think

I can't strike

I know of a large private organisation shedding 1,000's of UK jobs currently. As part of the outplacement you are offered various courses including inclusing "getting into teaching", it's near the bottom of the list next to "dog grooming franchise".

it's near the bottom of the list next to "dog grooming franchise".

Here's a suggestion, how about teachers striking during the school holiday's, there's loads of days to choose from, no effect on pupils and parents. It's win/win.

..and shitetalking is near the top, which is maybe why you took it?

I take it you don't believe me?

LycraLout that comment was from a teacher! As each year 7 is different, so have the curriculum to teach them say about the Merthyr riots plan the lesson as per guidelines on what should be taught, each year get a new year 7 class use the same plan!

As for careers advice, no teacher at my school ever gave me any advice that was useful! Utter bo*****s! Found my career by digging and nosying myself.

that comment was from a teacher!

A teacher who doesn't know the difference between right and write? Seriously? Perhaps you should be on strike and let someone with some basic literacy skills do the teaching.

I take it you don't believe me?

Oh FFS think you'll find the teacher does know the difference it's me that doesn't (well I do, I'm just typing quickly and being a muppet as I'm multi-tasking).

I also spent 2 summers teaching English to foreign kids, I had no lessons and it really wasn't that difficult, although it was utter shite IMO as I hated every minute of it. Certainly wasn't hard though!

I also spent 2 summers teaching English to foreign kids, I had no lessons and it really wasn't that difficult, although it was utter shite IMO as I hated every minute of it. Certainly wasn't hard though!

Gosh, how did you work that out?

It's absolutely true.

I hated every minute of it.

Oh look pay freeze and increasing pension contributions, accepts it least they have a job

It's absolutely [s]true[/s] made up.

There, fixed it for you.

There, fixed it for you.

Thanks Lycra[s]Lout[/s]Luddite

says being a teacher is easy. Especially secondary school

I think swinging a door is a piece of piss, and yet strangely enough I know office wallahs who would struggle to put a shelf up level, never mind fitting a new front door.

Anyone who genuinely believes that teaching is "easy" and requires no special skills or training, as apparently you do Munqe-chick, is either utterly dishonest or some sort of idiot. Which one are you M-C?

Thanks Lycra[s]Lout[/s]Luddite

That the best you can do? Hardly PMSL there. Actually, was hoping you'd name this company of yours, but not surprised you didn't. Will I take a guess? CompletelyMadeUpCo?
Fiction Unlimited?

CompletelyMadeUpCo

Work it out yourself - clue: East kent

You have 30sec......go, tick tock tick tock...and the answer is?

Work it out yourself

...ran out of time - yep "Luddite"

I also spent 2 summers teaching English to foreign kids, I had no lessons and it really wasn't that difficult, although it was utter shite IMO as I hated every minute of it. Certainly wasn't hard though!

That's not teaching. That's working for a business.

each year get a new year 7 class use the same plan!

Because that really works when you have a class of kids with reading ages from 5-12 in one group. Just recycle the plan and leave the thick ones to it.

Nuff said!

[url= http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=562240 ]I know of a large private organisation shedding 1,000's of UK jobs currently. As part of the outplacement you are offered various courses including inclusing "getting into teaching", it's near the bottom of the list next to "dog grooming franchise".[/url]

That where you got that little gem from?

LOL @ don Simon, very much agree but that for another thread 😉

@ Junkyard, I don't have any issues with my job (well I do but no related to this thread, and I'm not a dog handler). My point was in this climate where thousands are being made unemployed, or having to take pay cuts to keep a job then a 2 year pay freeze and increasing pension contributions is nowt. Lots of people up in arms about Windsor report not me, I appreciate that I have a job that is reasonably well paid and has a cracking pension.....although I won't see the benefit of that. But hey Ho that's life.

Okay maybe I was too flippant, teaching isn't easy but it certainly isn't hard 😉

That where you got that little gem from?

Reference:

[url= http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmsctech/805/805we07.htm ]http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmsctech/805/805we07.htm[/url]

.....External Job Opportunities.

I know of a large private organisation shedding 1,000's of UK jobs currently. As part of the outplacement you are offered various courses including inclusing "getting into teaching", it's near the bottom of the list next to "dog grooming franchise".

Nothing about dog grooming or teaching on that link, and searching for the "External Job Opportunities" text returns

# A dedicated intranet site on matters concerning the proposal to exit the Sandwich site. On this site employees can find details of HR Policies, the Presentations/Documents and Minutes from the Colleague Forum, Information on the Government Task Force, External Job Opportunities that we have been approached with, News Bulletins, links to sites including "Polish your Presentation Skills", topics such as "Spin out Opportunities". There is also a "Submit your comments" question facility on the web site. We have also added external links to the Select Committee meeting on 28 February, so that colleagues can read about and watch the session with Pfizer.
# There is a specific "External Job Opportunities" page on the intranet site which is a centralised source of external job vacancies which we have been notified of since the announcement on 1 February of Pfizer's proposed exit from the Sandwich site.

Do rooms get darker when walk into them? I suspect you're dense enough to attract light

I recall that your question was....

hoping you'd name this company of yours

I gave you a clue....

Work it out yourself - clue: East kent

You have 30sec......go, tick tock tick tock...and the answer is?

pssst....it's Pfizer.

What we need is more acadamies where the managers set and enforce the curiculum, and also set the pay.

I'm a manager at an Academy - and will be on strike.

If employees in the private sector can't get organised and support each other to protect their pay and conditions, then I'm sorry. Others having to take cuts doesn't mean no-one else should fight it. If pay and conditions is so great for teachers, why do we struggle to fill vacancies?

boxelder - (I'm also a teacher, but now in the independent sector so possibly even more bolloxed than you by the changes) does this not feel just a tad early for striking? The government is still in consultation and is only going to publish it's actual proposals in the autumn. Surely then is the time to strike (it'll also have much more effect as examination age classes will actually be at school!).

As part of the outplacement you are offered various courses including inclusing "getting into teaching", it's near the bottom of the list next to "dog grooming franchise".

You could become a science teacher and join the gravy train, there arent enough of them so its easy to get a job.

Bugger all jobs out there just now.

Any chance you two sad sacks could find a room and leave the thread to the grown ups?

Grown ups? Where?

*runs to hide in the cupboard under the stairs*

convert - let them know how we feel before they draw up plans, don't wait 'til it's decided. I don't want to affect exam classes! I don't want the students to be affected negatively at all.

True, it's not the teacher way to want to effect the plight of those in our charge and it's not good PR but a strike at this time of year is just symbolic. Maybe that's the point. I'm not convinced as I walk around the staffroom many of my colleagues have truly understood the potential changes - be they significant or reasonable.

Quarter to midnight and writing reports - 15 more to go tonight - god it's a dull part of the job!

convert,

You must be really poor at time management if you're having to work this late. Munge-Chick knows all about teachers and it's a piss easy job.

You must be really poor at time management if you're having to work this late. Munge-Chick knows all about teachers and it's a piss easy job

Absolutely.

Yesterday I was in school for 7.20 (been in school until 8.30 night before). Phoning parents from 8. Taught most of day. Saw kids during my 'break'. Dealt with an assault on a member of staff. Had a meeting with parents during my lunch 'break'. Left school at 4.30 to collect my kids. Spent 3 hours in evening writing reports.

[u]Not [/u]saying other jobs are not harder. But teaching isn't 'piss easy'.

you pays peanuts.... you gets monkeys

convert - Member
boxelder - (I'm also a teacher, but now in the independent sector so possibly even more bolloxed than you by the changes) does this not feel just a tad early for striking? The government is still in consultation and is only going to publish it's actual proposals in the autumn. Surely then is the time to strike (it'll also have much more effect as examination age classes will actually be at school!).

I would suggest that the time between the consultation "process" (which teaching unions were shut out of up here) and the applying of cuts may be fairly short. Two weeks up here between the chartered programme being "reviewed" and "closed"

The Hutton report found the average pension payments - including workers and dependents - in 2009-10 were as follows:

* Local government worker: £4,052
* NHS worker: £7,234
* Civil servant: £6,199
* Teacher: £9,806

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13775278

Interesting.

FACT CHECK: Financial advisers Hargreaves Lansdown have calculated that private sector employees would need to build up a pension pot of £189,151 - equivalent to £6,300 each year for 30 years - to receive the average annual pension paid to civil servants.

It estimates the equivalent comparative figures for NHS workers and teachers are £221,155 and £298,596.

= just some poor fiction then?

You're welcome to go:
[b]Routes into Teaching Information Day[/b]
With Canterbury Christ Church University and TDA on Wednesday 22 June at 9.30am-4pm in B.509/2.100, DBM Career Centre.

...if you can get you head out of your arse and find your way there!

What did folks make of Danny Alexander's line in the sand"?

"by far the best likely to be on the table for years to come"

yunki - Member

you pays peanuts.... you gets monkeys

want to know whats really funny, due to the fact year11 and year 13 are on exam leave I have no lesson the day of the strike!

What about all the other bits that clink has to do?

Absolutely.

Yesterday [u]I was in school for 7.20[/u] (been in school until 8.30 night before). [u]Phoning parents from 8[/u]. Taught most of day. [u]Saw kids during my 'break[/u]'. [u]Dealt with an assault on a member of staff[/u]. [u]Had a meeting with parents during my lunch 'break[/u]'. Left school at 4.30 to collect my kids. [u]Spent 3 hours in evening writing reports[/u].

Not saying other jobs are not harder. But teaching isn't 'piss easy'.

😉

I expect clink is further up the payscale, although I have a A level biology field trip to plan and a scheme of work for GCSE biology to write. For a classroom teacher like me who has the delight of being given loads of year 11 and year 13 teaching to do this time of year is usually fairly quiet. But I suspect thats the reason the strike is when it is.

28th June is the last day of the exam period I believe. Science modules I think, always last in the cue. 😉

anagallis, you couldn't sort my Geography KS3 re-write while you are at it?

Science modules I think, always last in the cue

Yay for edyerkayshun and proppa speling!

After starting this post I have begun to develop a bit of sympathy for teachers, a few factor for this thinking...

...some teachers (not all) considering hemselves as somehow speacial and the only sector of the UK work force that work hard for a living, I think this is deluded (living in a bubble) so therefore I sympathise in that respect.

...in recent years they are falling (resentfully) more in line with the private sector in terms of effort at work. So I sympathise that they have to be able to 'cope' with that.

...the reality that the public sector (public servants) have to adapt to changes in economic fortunes wich are driven by factors out of most peoples control. So I sympaphise with all public sector workers wrt that. I'm a realist & my wife's a nurse.

& my wife's a nurse

Your wife's a nurse ? .........you should have mentioned that in the beginning.

If your wife being a nurse doesn't give the right to slag off teachers, then I don't know what does !

want to know whats really funny, due to the fact year11 and year 13 are on exam leave I have no lesson the day of the strike!

Our Y12s are back in to begin A2 work, so I'd have had a full timetable that day (the afternoon was off timetable for careers talks anyway).

Been looking at donkey jackets and oil drums on eBay 😉

So I sympaphise with all public sector workers wrt that. I'm a realist & my wife's a nurse.

I thought i'd read this thread to see if I could understand the teachers point of view on striking because in the press they aren't coming across very well and I still can't. I don't think for a minute it's an easy job and I personally couldn't think of anything worse to do for a living but on this point I think you are in the wrong. We all have it tough at the moment and your still better off than a lot of people. I agree with the earlier post about it being as much to do with an ageing population as tough times. Why should the rest of us prop up your pension?

As a side note I can see why so many people feel the need to correct peoples spelling and grammer on this forum as there are clearly a lot of teachers! Mine is bad but correcting it and trying to make me feel small is something which annoys me. It's even worse from teachers because the reason mines so bad isn't due to a lack of intelligence it's down to a poor education as i'm sure it is with many others.

It's even worse from teachers because the reason mines so bad isn't due to a lack of intelligence it's down to a poor education as i'm sure it is with many others.

There are, of course, two sides, the other side of teaching is learning. Can you blame the teachers for poor learning?

Why should the rest of us prop up your pension?

Is she your carer

Yes, and it's mutual

doesn't give the right to slag off teachers

Exactly where have I slagged off teachers?

I agree with the earlier post about it being as much to do with an ageing population as tough times. Why should the rest of us prop up your pension?

Agree; agree; agree!!!!

See if a [s]someone deluded and living in a bubble[/s] teacher will help you get it or perhaps that will be too much like hard work for them 🙄
FFS that is not true we are not propping it up teachers will pay with extra contributions

Can you blame the teachers for poor learning?

Yes, during the last parents evening when I asked about some practical measures to improve my daughters maths skills, I was told by the teacher...."have you heard of Kumon? some of the other parents pay for private tuition....". Totally palmed-off, not only paying to prop up pensions, but actually adived to pay for provate tuion - By the teacher!!!!????!!!

perhaps the teacher realised it was beyond your skill level to help and only a paid professional would do ?

Yes, during the last parents evening when I asked about some practical measures to improve my daughters maths skills, I was told by the teacher...."have you heard of Kumon? some of the other parents pay for private tuition....". Totally palmed-off, not only paying to prop up pensions, but actually adived to pay for provate tuion - By the teacher!!!!????!!!

sticks hand me sir me I know this one me sir please sir MMMMMEEEEE
PS I think he has my old keyboard

paid professional

Excuse me....I thought 'teaching' was a proffesion??

I hope my hours, and hours, ...and hours! (on top of [i]my[/i] job) of going over past SATS papers 1to1 with my daughter my have recovered the complete failure of the school - but then, I'm not the expert!!!! Ironically, when my daughter (proudly) revealed our efforts to her teacher, she was told "don't bother doing past papers". Well, there you go, damned if you do damned if you don't.