Concerned about possibility of a teachers' strike?

[emc]

Hello

Sorry, another request for parents to film with...the NUT are proposing a day of strikes on Thursday, June 30th in protest at changes to their pensions and I want to speak to a group of parents who are concerned about the impact the strike might have on them in terms of childcare/child/ren missing out on a day's education, etc. Please PM me for more info. thanks so much.

[Otta]

I'd be interested to know if those parents with "concerns" actually support the teachers, even if it does mean inconvenience for themselves.

[vesti]

All other issues aside this makes me smile.

Teachers propose a one day strike and Govt is up in arms about children missing out on a days education. Queen proposes bank holiday for a wedding - no national broadcasts then around concerns about kids missing out on a day of education.

Too late to organise a street party?

[toast]

Do you want to heat from parents unconcerned by the strike or would this not make such a good story?

[emc]

I think what I'm looking for is parents who would maybe talk to a union rep about why the strike is happening (I'm a parent and was a bit unclear) - they might sympathise a bit but also are worried about what they are going to do re childcare on that day etc (something I'm worried about)

[bodsier]

i think the reason they are striking is because teachers have had a pay freeze for two years, Their salaries are seemingly low, they have to make a much bigger contribution towards their pension, and their pensions plans are being reduced drastically....I am a parent, but I support the teachers and the unions wholeheartedly. One day out of work/school is worth it for a society with better work conditions.... Difficult for some and I empathise, but maybe worth it in the long run?

[womanofdulwich]

i am happy to vent my thoughts at having a 10% pay cut in the past 2 years and a 25% cut in pension contributions from my employer and the threat of redundancy pay at the statutory rate. bitter ?me??

[sian]

Who is this for EMC? I think you will find the Taxpayers Alliance can supply you with a group of ranters any time you like.

[toast]

I would read any articles that give a balanced overview of why public sector workers are striking but can't seem to find any. Edited to tone down as woke up grumpy.

[Fuschia]

The Nger us t just about pensions but about free schools and academies, cuts to school capitL funding, etc etc

Though it's not true teachers have had a pay freeze

Sept 2011 is final instalment of a 3 year deal - 2.3% increase

[tomk]

> Though it's not true teachers have had a pay

> freeze

> Sept 2011 is final instalment of a 3 year deal -

> 2.3% increase

No, teachers are now in a pay freeze. No cost of living increase until Sept 2013 at earliest.

But the strike is about pension changes anyway.

[Fuschia]

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[Fuschia]

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[????]

vesti Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> All other issues aside this makes me smile.

> Teachers propose a one day strike and Govt is up

> in arms about children missing out on a days

> education. Queen proposes bank holiday for a

> wedding - no national broadcasts then around

> concerns about kids missing out on a day of

> education.

> Too late to organise a street party?

Yeah, but parents got a holiday too....so no extra childcare needed or days off work which all cost money for us poor non-state workers. Coming on top of the contributions taxpayers already make to Public Sector pensions an ongoing continous, rising and unsustainable commitnment, and given that most workers aren't public sector workers, and have thus far faced the bulk of redundancies, their companies going bust, reduced overtime/paid hours and and most of them have little to look forward to but working to 67 and then whatever the paltry state pension is after that (Final Salary pensions being realised as unrealistic by most private Sector employers about 15 years ago).... then some of us are less enamoured by PS Union cries of "Why us? We didn't cause it" . I think it's completley unproffesional and will let my kids teachers know.

There, berate away.

[echo]

I'm more concerned by the continual disintegration of the state education system and the polarisation between the haves and have not's.

Lets all support our public sector workers who are trying to preserve their terms and conditions and are providing services for all of our children regardless of their parental circumstances.

I'm support the June 30th Strikes:)

[????]

yeah, and unsustaianble evergrowing PS pension liabilities will take a further chunk out of spending on actual Public Services in the future leading to further deteriotaion unless some sensible and pragmatic reforms are made to pensions, rurther widening gaps between rich and poor, not least t=those private sector workers (the majority) with no or grossly inadequate private pension provision.

Plus, I don't think teachers should strike as a matter of professional ethics.

[Otta]

I think they should change the T&Cs for new employees, but leave existing T&Cs alone. And for the record, that would not benefit me directly.

[echo]

Lets Tax the high earners:)rather than erode our terms and conditions

[Chippy Minton]

Quids - do you really think "that most workers aren't public sector workers, and have thus far faced the bulk of redundancies" or are you just trolling?

Surely, both public and private sector are being hit by cuts to public services, benefits, pay and jobs (?145bn over the next 6 years)?

The Treasury itself says austerity cuts will lead to at least 500,000 public sector jobs and between 600,000 and 700,000 jobs in the private sector being lost by the end of this parliament - not really a massive difference especially given the Charted Institute of Personnel and Development has estimated that govt spending cuts could lead to up to 750,000 public sector jobs losses.

[ladywotlunches]

I'm with Quids on this. So, PS workers will have to work until 66 now, which is the STATE retirement age set for the rest of the country already. We are all living healthier lives and can expect a much more enjoyable and lengthy retirement when we get there. Being told you've got to work another 6 years when you're in your 20s and 30s is a bummer, but c'est la vie.

And having been through redundancy myself as a result of the current recession - therefore losing all pension provision, as well as real terms cuts in family income (pay freezes/cuts etc), I'm sorry but I do find it difficult to support those going on strike for the same reasons. And teachers, like the medical profession and emergency services, should not strike as a matter of professional pride rather than it being legislated against.

And yes, I know that PS workers work for less pay on the proviso that their pension would be worth it in the end (and many do a vital job - I have close friends and family in several emergency services) but Pensions are investments and by their nature "can go down as well as up". If you're in it for the money, go private.

[Chippy Minton]

ladywotlunches - I don't get it. I really feel for you if you've lost your job, but are you really saying that because you've been treated poorly, you can't support someone else that's being treated poorly and that teachers should roll over and just take it?

[ladywotlunches]

I'm saying that the country is in a mess. We as a nation cannot afford to pay people more as the tax revenue isn't coming in. In the public sector this lack of funds means redundancies/cut backs/extra hours/poorer pensions. In the public sector to some extent this is happening now too. Unions can strike, then we'll be in even more of a mess, but there will still not be any more money. Our national debt is too big and we need to get rid of it, otherwise we'll be following down the path of Greece, without the Eurozone to bail us out.

If the economy recovers and teachers don't see t & c's improve, I would back a strike. But for now, the Unions just need to back off and give us all a break!

[Townleygreen]

ladywotlunches,

But teachers' pensions are not costing the country any money! So you are asking them to pay more to pay off the country's debt? Wouldn't it be fairer to just raise income tax? Why single out teachers?

[womanofdulwich]

of course teachers pensions are costing us all that pay tax. we are putting in for them.

[StraferJack]

and the alternative is...?