Emotive subject

[Seahorse]

I am going to strike even though I voted against it ... I think that we need parents on our side (I'm a teacher) but as Snadge said, a union is a democracy

Susie, I may have read this wrong but I hope you don't think all parents will be hostile if/when you strike? I have four kids at three different schools but I'm 100% behind november 30th. For me it's a day of mild inconvenience, for lots of people it's about the rest of their lives! Last time there was a strike I was appalled to get a letter home from my youngest two kids' headteacher saying she was 'sure we'd all be pleased to know there'd be no disruption to our routine'... Arrgh!!!

[pigletwillie]

I have a private pension that is way below the standards of the public sector. However that does not mean their pensions should be dragged down to the level of mine, mine should be brought up to theirs. There is a lot of aminosity towards big business, much of it justified, however, please remember that their profits, paid out as dividents fill most peoples pension payment every month. A non profit business would mean no pensions.

I fear the public are not on the side of the unions for a lot of the wrong reasons. I support it and will be in Leicester supporting it on the 30th.

[janeyo]

Ho hum

Have just read my son's newsletter in his bag and it says school will be closed next Weds due to strikes. I teach there and think maybe they should have informed the staff before the parents!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Ho hum

Have just read my son's newsletter in his bag and it says school will be closed next Weds due to strikes. I teach there and think maybe they should have informed the staff before the parents!

Good capable management then.

Colin

[taff]

errr...it was Alison and here's some more stuff to read about that quote
Niemöller, origin of famous quotation "First they came for the Communists..."

[chris]

BIiig Picket line speak at my place. Ppl are on about meeting up who are working so they don't have to cross it alone!

[pigletwillie]

Whether to join the union ot not is a personal choice, but even though some may say 'Unions have had their day' I still think it can be beneficial.

I believe that without unions, the minimum wage wouldn't exist, slave labour would abound and the rich would get richer at the expense of the poor.

I think your spot on there Snadger and would even go further. The labour party was founded by the unions to speak for them, I think the time has come for the unions to cut that tie as the current Labour party no longer do that,. Cut the ties and lobby properly. By using the millions of pounds wasted on the Labour party they would become a very powerful lobbying organisation for the benefit of not just workers but all of the 99%

[Alison]

errr...it was Alison and here's some more stuff to read about that quote
Niemöller, origin of famous quotation "First they came for the Communists..."

Yeah that's the quote I meant, didn't know much about the history of it though but have always thought it appropriate for a whole host of situations.

[Alison]

I have a private pension that is way below the standards of the public sector. However that does not mean their pensions should be dragged down to the level of mine, mine should be brought up to theirs. There is a lot of aminosity towards big business, much of it justified, however, please remember that their profits, paid out as dividents fill most peoples pension payment every month. A non profit business would mean no pensions.

I fear the public are not on the side of the unions for a lot of the wrong reasons. I support it and will be in Leicester supporting it on the 30th.

Well said.

To be honest this strike in particular doesn't affect me personally that much and I had been negligent enough not to have given it that much thought. This thread has been good for me as it has made me thinkg and I also have several friends who although not particularly political under normal circumstances will be striking and have been on a couple of marches of late - one of them described a march they attended as being primarily geography teachers, OK an exageration but I took it to mean that it wasn't exactly your typical newspaper image of strikers which says something about what people are feeling.

[Hilary B]

I have a private pension that is way below the standards of the public sector. However that does not mean their pensions should be dragged down to the level of mine, mine should be brought up to theirs. There is a lot of aminosity towards big business, much of it justified, however, please remember that their profits, paid out as dividents fill most peoples pension payment every month. A non profit business would mean no pensions.

I fear the public are not on the side of the unions for a lot of the wrong reasons. I support it and will be in Leicester supporting it on the 30th.

Public sector means the money to pay for it comes from taxes. The reason for the proposed (and opposed) changes is an attempt to balance the supply and demand. However much one might wish to pay a good pension for all, the money has to be there.....
Whether this is the right approach, well who can say, but it might be the ONLY approach that is doable!

[Seahorse]

I don't mean to embarrass you Uncle Snadge but surely any right thinking person would love your self sufficiency, your politics, your faith in the power of the union and your funky greenhouse stove <3

[donnakebab]

Ho hum

Have just read my son's newsletter in his bag and it says school will be closed next Weds due to strikes. I teach there and think maybe they should have informed the staff before the parents!

Well surely that means that if you are on strike you will be at home to look after him and if you aren't you will be there to teach/supervise him?

[Hilary B]

Well surely that means that if you are on strike you will be at home to look after him and if you aren't you will be there to teach/supervise him?

Would you be happy to learn of a strike affecting your work in such a way? The problem isn't the fact but the lack of information!

[janeyo]

Well surely that means that if you are on strike you will be at home to look after him and if you aren't you will be there to teach/supervise him?

I am not striking so therefore I have to go to work as normal. However the school is closed to students , so that means I have to find alternative childcare for my children!