Union: Strikes to shut most schools (From Bucks Free Press)
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Union: Strikes to shut most schools
11:27am Wednesday 23rd November 2011 in Education By James Nadal
Union: Strikes to shut most schools
MOST schools in the county are likely to shut for a day next week as teachers strike, unions have told the Bucks Free Press.
Teaching unions NUT, ATL and the NASUWT, representing the majority of teachers in Buckinghamshire, are all taking industrial action on November 30.
They will walk out for the day over a dispute with the Government over pension reforms.
59 schools across Bucks were at least partially shut due to a previous strike on the same issue on June 30.
But NUT Bucks spokesman Annette Pryce said next week's strike will be on a larger scale and expects most schools to be shut.
She said: “We are taking this action because the Government is still refusing to negotiate appropriately, and do a valuation of the Teachers Pension Scheme; and are intent on imposing the changes to public sector pensions in April 2012.
“This will affect thousands of teachers in Buckinghamshire in all sectors.”
The action is part of a nationwide strike, involving a range of public sector unions.
It is set to be the biggest strike action seen in the UK since 1926.
“The strike has united us in action to defend our pensions,” Ms Pryce said.
“But we are very concerned with the devastating cuts to job, public services, education, health and welfare.”
Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude has urged workers not to go ahead with the strike.
Earlier this month he said they have been offered a generous settlement which is “beyond the dreams of most private [sector] employees”.
Among the changes which have led to the strike action, is the upping of the retirement age for state employees from 60 to 66 by 2020.
It was put forward in a Government commissioned reported by former Labour minister Lord Hutton.
Paying for teachers' pensions is forecast to rise to £10bn by 2015 as more staff retire and life expectancy increases, the Government have said.
Comments(52)
miccles
says...
12:11pm Wed 23 Nov 11
If the above picture is anything to go by, the ugly unwashed cretins should get a life and face facts.
Malc London
says...
12:39pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Unfortunately Teachers have no idea about life in the real world.
I have no intention of paying for their pension as well!
smallvillager
says...
12:48pm Wed 23 Nov 11
I don't agree with the strikes, but let's not underestimate the hours that most teaching staff put in.
Fit2drop
says...
12:48pm Wed 23 Nov 11
The vast majority are 8-5 plus evenings, supporting young people in sporting as well as acedemic studies, add into that prep work, parents evenings and in the near future concerts for parents, if it was that easy Malc London get a job as a teacher. When you have a degree and the teacher training qualification.
deecee01
says...
12:54pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Trip wrote:They are only closed for a day, so good luck the rest of the week
At least the traffic will be better for a week ;)
miccles
says...
12:55pm Wed 23 Nov 11
smallvillager wrote:maybe so but 12+ weeks holiday a year.
I'm not a teacher, but having worked in a school I know that lunch hours are rarely taken and are typically 30 mins max. Days ususally start before 8am and finish way after the kids have left. I don't agree with the strikes, but let's not underestimate the hours that most teaching staff put in.
and please dont say 10 of those weeks they work too, because they dont.
Slimster
says...
12:55pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Malc London
says...
1:08pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Yes they have to mark papers but then they know all the answers so it's not that hard! Prep? You only have to prep for the forthcoming year.
I don't think teachers appreciate that the people they want to contribute to their pensions work longer hours, have less benefits and generally paid the same.
listerps2
says...
1:19pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Malc London wrote:I work in a school - I am not a teacher and I have worked very much in the real world. Teachers do have "free" periods but these are not every day and often when they have these "free" periods they are used to cover lessons for staff who are away or for meetings with parents/other staff members. They also do not get 1hr 1/2 break for lunch - lunch is 1 hour but these are also used for lunch time activities with students, detentions, and again meetings with parents or other members of staff.
IF you work in a school, you know teachers also get period off when they are not teaching. Yes they have to mark papers but then they know all the answers so it's not that hard! Prep? You only have to prep for the forthcoming year. I don't think teachers appreciate that the people they want to contribute to their pensions work longer hours, have less benefits and generally paid the same.
Yes they do have long holidays - they are not off all the time though as we do run holiday clubs, school trips during holidays and in secondary school they have to come in over the two weeks when exam results are being release.
- "they know all the answers so it's not that hard!" Really??? This may be true of Maths but how can you use this example for other subjects - it doesn't work like that.
"Prep?" - they have to create lesson plans for every lesson and this takes time - not every lesson is the same.
If you feel so strongly about this then maybe make sure you are spouting facts and not making assumptions.
With regard to the strike - I don't think they should do it as too many innocent people are affected, but then again this is the purpose of a strike after all.
Ghost_of_Plato
says...
1:41pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Majik
says...
1:46pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Slimster wrote:Not to mention the children. Parents aren't allowed to take their children out of school for a day for holiday as it will harm their education, but teachers are prepared to deprive the children of a days education.
What do they think they are going to achieve by striking? The only people they will affect are hard working parents. Precisely the people they want on their side. Meanwhile the government saves money by not paying the striking teachers.
What would the reaction be if I had a dispute with my employer and my actions caused a school to close for a day?
Shame on the teachers for harming children in their employment dispute.
Malc London
says...
1:46pm Wed 23 Nov 11
We are NOT paying for your pension.
We have enough trouble trying to pay for our own.
We had our final salary pension taken away because it is not sustainable.
We are all in the same boat, but the teachers are the one's climbing in the lifeboat at the expense of others.
Malc London
says...
1:48pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Majik wrote:Well said Majik
Slimster wrote: What do they think they are going to achieve by striking? The only people they will affect are hard working parents. Precisely the people they want on their side. Meanwhile the government saves money by not paying the striking teachers.Not to mention the children. Parents aren't allowed to take their children out of school for a day for holiday as it will harm their education, but teachers are prepared to deprive the children of a days education. What would the reaction be if I had a dispute with my employer and my actions caused a school to close for a day? Shame on the teachers for harming children in their employment dispute.
The parents would be prosecuted for taking a child out of school during term time.
Perhaps the parents should sue the teachers union for damages.
miccles
says...
1:52pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Majik wrote:"What would the reaction be if I had a dispute with my employer and my actions caused a school to close for a day?"
Slimster wrote: What do they think they are going to achieve by striking? The only people they will affect are hard working parents. Precisely the people they want on their side. Meanwhile the government saves money by not paying the striking teachers.Not to mention the children. Parents aren't allowed to take their children out of school for a day for holiday as it will harm their education, but teachers are prepared to deprive the children of a days education. What would the reaction be if I had a dispute with my employer and my actions caused a school to close for a day? Shame on the teachers for harming children in their employment dispute.
lol.. sorry but your fired, off you go. lol
Trip
says...
2:03pm Wed 23 Nov 11
deecee01 wrote:I swear it said there would be a week of strikes. Oh well!
Trip wrote:They are only closed for a day, so good luck the rest of the week
At least the traffic will be better for a week ;)
Malc London
says...
2:39pm Wed 23 Nov 11
So we have traffic free days for over a quarter of the year as it is.
andy40
says...
3:00pm Wed 23 Nov 11
.gov.uk/eforms2005/S
SSchoolStatus/Future
Closures.aspx
scratchnsniff
says...
3:10pm Wed 23 Nov 11
While the teachers strike is a pain in the backside regarding child care I for one wouldn't want to be a teacher.
With the attitude of kids these days, YOUR scummy kids, being a teacher is a nightmare. Kids treating you like you’re no better than the piece of **** they've just wiped off the shoe. And should they be disciplined then they run home to mummy and cry, then mummy and daddy go down the school and treat the teacher even worse!
You lot really are a bunch of cretins I bet most of you think the firebrigade and police should work free of charge after all its a privelage working for a bunch of middle class wankers.
mrsmcg
says...
3:15pm Wed 23 Nov 11
BucksComment
says...
3:52pm Wed 23 Nov 11
The head at our local school is in charge of 300 kids, 40 staff and a budget of £1.5 million. He takes home about £50k - a good wage but much less than an MD of a similar size company.
Would you allow your pay and conditions to be changed without your say so? That is the grievance.
miccles
says...
4:28pm Wed 23 Nov 11
BucksComment wrote:Here we go another comment ""I AM NOT A TEACHER BUT"
Here we go again - same old misinformed clap trap. I'm not a teacher but I see the effort they put in. They do not work 9-3 and while they do not teach for 12 weeks of the year they are still working for some of that. The head at our local school is in charge of 300 kids, 40 staff and a budget of £1.5 million. He takes home about £50k - a good wage but much less than an MD of a similar size company. Would you allow your pay and conditions to be changed without your say so? That is the grievance.
That comment is getting a bit thin on the ground now.
You seemed to be well informed of the amount of kids, the schools budget, the number of staff, and the heads wages.
Does this school have a sign outside displaying all this information??
£50k, wish i could earn that, im nowhere near that, i struggle, and if i did what these are doing i would be out of the door in a flash.
BucksComment
says...
4:44pm Wed 23 Nov 11
I am well informed because I take my kids education seriously and am able to look up things on the internet.
You seem less well informed
Malc London
says...
4:44pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Yes, unfortuantely it happens all the time in the private sector.
Our final salary pension was ended, if I go on strike I get sacked.
Now the teachers are wanting ME to contribute to THEIR final salary scheme.
Sorry but NO. Go on strike. Perhaps having uneducated kids in the future will mean I will still have a job.
BucksComment
says...
4:49pm Wed 23 Nov 11
readerabc
says...
4:55pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Please don't compare one job to another - if teachers don't like their job then leave and get another one
If you think teaching pays better/gives better holidays etc then retrain and get a job a teacher
Is striking really going to chnage the pension crisis? IMHO - NO!!! the country's pensions are a mess- I pay into my own and have seen it's value massively reduced due to the recession and all the problems
Labour government overspent and encouraged everyone to do the same!! it had to come crashing down - whoever you blame !!!!
every pension scheme inthe UK has similar problems- even churches are having to pay extra into their pension pot as vicars are living longer!!
do I think teachers should strike - ?? No! as all it does is punish parents and the general economy as a days work is lost!
and please, next time I ask for a day off school for my child, don't get on your high horse about how poor attendance affects learning when you are prepared to close the school to children by striking
ShopFloorSteward
says...
5:53pm Wed 23 Nov 11
cmilsom
says...
6:01pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Try and actually work in a school and actually try being a teacher! Its not as easy as you think doing 25 hour days and working with kids who think the height of excitement is not learning!
They actually deserve a better pension!
Also this is a public sector strike and NOT just a teacher strike! Get your facts right before making yourself look stupid
BOOKERite
says...
6:10pm Wed 23 Nov 11
.
What kind of example are the teachers teaching our children by striking?
page3
says...
6:14pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Thank you for your recent request for little Tommy to be absent from school during term time. As you have pointed out on several occasions, the school does have a strict policy on this subject. I therefore must decline your request.
whingefree
says...
7:14pm Wed 23 Nov 11
We really do have to get away from the thought that this is a battle between public and private sector, that the changes to pension are necessary, and that the government is still in negotiation. None of this is true. Take a look at the facts and then decide…
1. The net cost of paying public sector pensions in 2009/10 was a little under £4 billion. The cost of providing tax relief to the one per cent of those earning more than £150,000 is more than twice as much. The total cost of providing tax relief to all higher rate taxpayers, on their private pensions, is more than five times as much. The government wants you to believe that this is all about the private sector ‘bailing out’ or ‘propping up’ the public sector. Not true.
2. Changes already agreed by public sector unions have already reduced the value of public sector pensions by 10%. The National Audit Office says this will "stabilise costs in the long-term around their current level of GDP". Lord Hutton's report suggests that with no further changes, public sector pension costs will reduce as a proportion of GDP. The schemes are affordable, but not liked by the Tories who ideologically want to be tougher on the public sector. The government wants you to believe that it is an economic necessity to worsen public sector pensions. Not true.
3. This isn't just teachers. There are also the thousands and thousands of very low paid public sector workers who are cleaners, dinner ladies, learning support assistants, secretaries and caretakers who will suffer under these changes. If you think public sector pensions are great, gold plated, easy money then just speak to one of these people. The Government wants you to believe that all public sector workers have a dream pension, gold-plated. Not true.
4. Public sector workers do not want to strike. Many of the unions have never ever taken strike action before, even though the unions have represented workers for 100 years and more. The government wants you to believe that the Unions are being reckless and being unnecessarily disruptive, and take this decision without a thought for others. Not true.
5. The Con-Dem coalition are in 'negotiation' in name only. Danny Alexander announced the outcome of the negotiations that have not yet completed way back in June. This is not a negotiation, it is a pretence. The government wants you to believe that they are still negotiating. Not true.
6. Public sector workers, many of whom are poorly paid and work long hours (regardless of what you think of teachers – let’s also think of all the other public sector workers affected), cannot afford to miss a day’s pay in the month before Christmas. Sometimes, however, you can’t put a price on principles. The Government want you to believe that public sector workers are rich, secure in their jobs, and work-shy. Not true.
Please let's not just jump onto a bandwagon of misinformed, misrepresented propaganda which seeks to divide the country, pit workers against each other, and allow the government to destroy people's lives unnoticed. Public sector workers have already accepted changes to their pensions in order to support the effort to get us out of this economic mess. They've done their bit now. This problem has not happened overnight and it should not be this generation of workers who should take the brunt of unwise decisions over 30 years or more.
And let's not reduce this to some ridiculous argument about whether teachers work hard or not. That argument is only designed to throw people off the trail of the real arguments around public sector spending and pension reform. This is too serious for ALL public sector workers to be reduced to such a level.
Let's wise up.
971keeb
says...
7:25pm Wed 23 Nov 11
Malc London wrote:Ignorance is Idiocy!
Don't forget the 9.00am - 3.00pm working hours (with an hour and a half lunch and half hour break). Unfortunately Teachers have no idea about life in the real world. I have no intention of paying for their pension as well!
I am a teacher. I get to work at 7am, leave at 5, take 10 mins for lunch, come home and do another 2 hours work and then work for about 5 hours every sun. That's a 65 hour working week! If that's not real world I don't know what is.
p.s. Even thought the govt are doing their best to do everyone out of their pension, I'm not striking. But teachers have every right to choose to stand up for what they believe is right.
I suggest you get your facts right before you make ignorant, moronic comments!
holly4
says...
8:15pm Wed 23 Nov 11
J B Blackett
says...
12:06am Thu 24 Nov 11
.
I could not face that ordeal day after day , week after week , month after month , year after year. Thank goodness some people can hack it - I couldn't. There's lots of jobs this country can do without , but being a teacher is not one of them.
.
I would not like to comment about our wonderful current gangs of politicians running things in this country at the moment as this site is moderated / censorable.
misstrouble
says...
12:18am Thu 24 Nov 11
IrishDad
says...
3:01am Thu 24 Nov 11
Slimster
says...
9:48am Thu 24 Nov 11
+
Fresh news from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) this morning: Public sector workers earn on average £3,802 a year MORE than private sector workers.
+
Even after the upcoming changes the public sector will still have a much better pension pot than private sector workers.
Kadoogan
says...
10:01am Thu 24 Nov 11
However incompetent the Tories often are, they (in partnership with much of our media) have done an awesome job of turning private sector workers against public sector workers, conveniently leaving those actually responsible for the mess we're in to continue on as normal.
sparky49
says...
10:01am Thu 24 Nov 11
scratchnsniff wrote:I couldn't agree more. The trouble with most of the people who post on here are the sort that would have us all back in Victorian times and be bloody grateful for what you have. If the public sector workers do not stand up together then this unelected tory government will walk all over the working classe's (that's all of us by the way). Join a union, become a teacher or work in the public sector if it's so bloody great. Trouble is they won't because they would have to work unlike now when most of the snobs work a 4 day week anyway, take a look at the M40 on Friday mornings. Stand up to the bullying right wing governments who have a history making you believe you are better than you are then screw you over with employment laws. For the private sector workers amongst you, the recent law change in unfair dismissal you all wanted will affect you as well as the public sector. Just remember this when you get the tin tack after 11 months and their is no redress. sometimes reading the bitter and twisted comments on here makes you realise we are a country full of snobs who believe they are better than everyone else, makes me laugh though when the very same people who would not be seen dead living in a council house then go and buy one change the door and hey presto Middle class. Like Obama said you can put lipstick on the pig but it is still a pig. I fully support this strike only because it will put pressure on this right wing coalition, fight for what you believe in or roll over. Did the nation in WW2 roll over? No they fought for what they believed, so should we.
Clearly most people who comment on here are complete ejits.
While the teachers strike is a pain in the backside regarding child care I for one wouldn't want to be a teacher.
With the attitude of kids these days, YOUR scummy kids, being a teacher is a nightmare. Kids treating you like you’re no better than the piece of **** they've just wiped off the shoe. And should they be disciplined then they run home to mummy and cry, then mummy and daddy go down the school and treat the teacher even worse!
You lot really are a bunch of cretins I bet most of you think the firebrigade and police should work free of charge after all its a privelage working for a bunch of middle class wankers.
Bookermum
says...
11:15am Thu 24 Nov 11
And as for work load etc ... My hours were often 7-5 in school, then 6-9 (at least) at home ... Almost every day!!
A 1 hr maths lesson would take way over an hr to prepare. & get on the laptop for the Smartboard!
The 8.30-3.30 is only teaching time (and is the only time teachers get paid for)! Yes, there is a lunch hr, but 30 mins have to be spent in class supervising children eating! Then the room needs setting up for the afternoon!
Yes, there is a 15 min morning break time ... Quick toilet stop & drink!!
Yes, teachers do get 1/2 a day's planning & preparation time! This is spent disciplining children, collecting resources, finding lost, un-named property, meetings & covering other staff!!
On top of the teaching payed time, teachers do most of their planning & preparing, repeating, displays, meetings, making/finding resources, clubs & occasionally driving pupils for shows etc all in their own time, & at the teachers own expense!!
As well as this, every school I have ever worked at teachers have had to supply their own stickers & stamps for the class (not to mention prizes, birthday/Christmas presents & staff gifts), as well as paying towards the tea & coffee, dishwasher tabs & washing powder!!
There are many other things that teachers do that people don't know about, and I'll be here all day listing them!!
My husband on the other hand works in the private sector! He works 8.30-5 with an hours break for lunch, as much free tea & coffee as he can drink, with toilet breaks as & when he chooses!! He works (free) additional hours a couple of nights a week.
And on top of this gets paid a lot more than I ever did!!
I've taken time out to bring up our family, but I honestly don't think I'll ever go back to teaching .... I definatly would never be able to do the hours I used too!!
So before you judge, at least think about everything a teacher does ... And remember, it's not just teachers striking!!!
miccles
says...
11:50am Thu 24 Nov 11
Vke85
says...
12:13pm Thu 24 Nov 11
I am sure that all of the pupils will be happy to have a day off.
David Cameron is encouraging people to take their children to work on the day of the strike........I am dubious about that one! It's totally dependant on what job a person does and if it is suitable for a child to go along.
Malc London
says...
12:51pm Thu 24 Nov 11
Perhaps you could spend say 5 or 6 weeks of that preparing for the term?
ShopFloorSteward
says...
4:40pm Thu 24 Nov 11
As an asideI'd strongly recommend that if you have an opinion about trade unions then please, have the dignity to do some reading and get better informed.
Who knows, perhaps you'll learn something about the history of this great nation and the positive role unions have played in emancipating the working classes.
bucksteacher
says...
4:40pm Thu 24 Nov 11
I'm sure they read the Daily Mail / Sun every day!
Either are welcome to spend a week in school with me any time - as are those journalists that pontificate on this issue.
Bookermum
says...
5:36pm Thu 24 Nov 11
Malc London wrote:Male London; Exams, reports & parents evenings are usually around school holiday time!! That's right ... You guessed it, the majority of teachers are marking or report writing (again for no pay), & summer holidays; sorting out/tidying the classrooms, cleaning role-play and other equipment, sometimes moving classrooms, meeting with past & new class teachers to discuss children, new displays, labels on draws & books ... The list goes on!!!
Bookermum- Does your husband get 12 weeks paid holiday every year?
Perhaps you could spend say 5 or 6 weeks of that preparing for the term?
And I'm not complaining about the work load, I just wish people knew what teachers did before commenting!!! ... And people (&teachers) signed up to a different contract to the one that the government is now setting out!!
Horatio Hornblower
says...
9:40pm Thu 24 Nov 11
Don't get me wrong, I'm not sure that a strike is the best action, the support of the British public is needed, and I don't think alot of strike action will achieve this. However, a clear message needs to sent to David Cameron.
I agree with those who say we are all in the same boat, I also am mindful that police officers are not allowed to strike. Only a teacher would complain about how hard teaching is! If it's that bad, why not try working in the real world, the one where you don't get time off every 6-7 weeks! The world is changing, change with it to survive!
readerabc
says...
3:20pm Fri 25 Nov 11
Horatio Hornblower
says...
10:23am Sat 26 Nov 11
Bookermum wrote:NO PAY?
Malc London wrote:Male London; Exams, reports & parents evenings are usually around school holiday time!! That's right ... You guessed it, the majority of teachers are marking or report writing (again for no pay), & summer holidays; sorting out/tidying the classrooms, cleaning role-play and other equipment, sometimes moving classrooms, meeting with past & new class teachers to discuss children, new displays, labels on draws & books ... The list goes on!!!
Bookermum- Does your husband get 12 weeks paid holiday every year?
Perhaps you could spend say 5 or 6 weeks of that preparing for the term?
And I'm not complaining about the work load, I just wish people knew what teachers did before commenting!!! ... And people (&teachers) signed up to a different contract to the one that the government is now setting out!!
Teachers are on 52 week contracts!
There is an expectation that teachers will spend some of the holiday time working!
Those teachers who complain about "working in the holidays" need to stop whinging. Yes teaching CAN be a difficult and tiring job. It can also be the most massivly rewarding vocation a person can have!
Unfortunatly, these days there are too many graduates who go into teaching focusing on "12 weeks paid holiday a year", ie they want a job, but don't really want to leave education, and never really get out of the student mindset.
The best teachers I have come across have worked in the real world first, and love every day that they teach!
That aside, other people work hard for low pay, no pension etc. Teachers need to be clever enough to realise that the puplic are sick of them complaining when actually they have a job for life providing they turn up on time, and do at least the bare minimum, everyone has to pay more for thier pension, it's the way of the world today.
A
demoness the second
says...
8:58am Mon 28 Nov 11
Looking at the amount of times teachers are attacked by pupils, I would very much say that sadly they are only too aware of the real world
http://www.guardian.
co.uk/education/clas
sroomviolence
As a fellow public sector worker I do not support the strike and will not be striking. But having a pop at people who do a very responsible crucial job is low IMO.
I would imagine that those on here who knock teachers do so due to their own job frustrations and because teachers are an easy target.
Scarletto
says...
7:42am Wed 30 Nov 11
gajcook
says...
12:46pm Thu 1 Dec 11
Malc London wrote:Interesting mathematical calculation, there. I think you'll find that 12 weeks out of 52 is actually 23%, which, if memory serves, is, in fact, LESS than a quarter. Perhaps your maths teacher was on strike the day you did fractions...
We can hope for more strikes but mustn't be greedy. After all, teachers are off for 12 weeks out of 52. So we have traffic free days for over a quarter of the year as it is.
Trip says...
11:59am Wed 23 Nov 11