What if I just walk around it?
…
Did you know that a substantial proportion of the secondary sector teachers are at the moment taking industrial action. Not many people do. Basically, the NASUWT is at the moment taking action to ensure parity with England and Wales. The action involves not covering any lessons outside our timetabled time (cover for absent teachers) and not doing a list of administration tasks that our colleagues in England and Wales don’t have to do. Like collecting money or chasing up absences (unless you are a year head). Our union visitor said to us that if we did not get trained to do it at university then we should not be doing it!
The pay parity is an interesting and confusing point. As far as I can tell, most teachers get exactly the same as the teachers in England and Wales. There does seem to be a difference with management points. However, the INTO (a union taking no action) makes an interesting comment on the NASUWT’s claim here.
So, what’s the harm in action that no-one seems to know about? A lot. It appears to me that a lot of money is being wasted when teachers are not doing any cover lessons. It means that schools cannot make efficient use of cover teachers. A cover teacher has to now be brought in for every absent teacher even if we only need them to cover classes a portion of the day. Also, teachers are often allowed to take trips or sports games and their colleagues covered for them. When teachers don’t do cover this is somewhat limited.
I do think that we should be treated the same as other teachers. As I see it, we in Northern Ireland have a history of being paid less than other teachers in England and Wales. It always seemed to me that the department of educations always dragged there heals 1 year behind in our annual pay increases.
BUT!
- It seems to me that, at the moment, parity is closer than it has ever been.
- The action we are currently taking is hurting our schools, students and limiting the teachers themselves.
- In the current climate I am glad to have a job.
- I think teachers get paid really well.
- I think the conditions are very good.
- As far as only doing what I was trained to do at university – I am a professional and I love every aspect of my job*
A majority of NASUWT members in Northern Ireland voted in favour of this action but I really don’t agree with it. It’s the wrong type of action at the wrong time. So is it OK for me to walk around the picket line? Is it OK for me to leave and join another union?
*Apart from marking. I hate marking.
And tidying my classroom.
January 29, 2009 at 10:52 am
IMHO, if you stay a member of the union, then you really need to follow the collective vote result. Otherwise, if everyone picks and chooses what action to take when, the union’s power is weakened.
(Through this logic, I went out on strike one day about 10 years ago in a pay dispute with my employer!)
On the other hand, if there’s an alternative union whose ideals and policies better fit with yours, why not shift your membership across?
January 29, 2009 at 11:01 am
I agree with you. Out in the real world everybody has to complete tasks which they were never trained for in university. In tough times in the private sector all employees have to be flexible, think on their feet and adapt to try to keep their jobs. The same should be expected of the public sector and value for money and effeciency should be objectives for all taxpayer’s money. In the last 24 hours I have had meetings with 3 people who are at risk of redundancy and despite this they are still talking about opporunities and possible new business gains. Also 17 of my ex colleagues in Britvic have been given redundancy notice (including my old job). Plus, all Britvic employees have been told that they have to take one week of unpaid leave to cut costs. Meanwhile we will face another round of job cuts which will be anounced in February.
January 29, 2009 at 5:31 pm
I think you are right Alan, I will sidestep the union and move sideways. Until all that is sorted out I will do as the union directs me to do.
Sister, your comment emphasizes that we should all be grateful to be working. This is not the time for grumbles from teachers.
January 29, 2009 at 7:28 pm
If you think it’s wrong to take the action then go for it.
ps I tidy your room a lot more than you. Stop moaning!