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On Wednesday I’ll be taking part in my first ever strike action.


gamer.tv

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Looking to convince the government to pay teachers a wage that matches inflation, which is funded by the government and not by our schools. Alongside this, it will have the knock of increasing funding for schools, aim to address a recruitment crisis, and hopefully set a precedent for the rest of the country.

 

I’ll be off to a demonstration for an hour which I feel will be an interesting experience. Similarly, it’s been interesting watching the government critique of our strike, when they’ve glossed over the fact the government branch that governs education (the department for education) is also on strike, alongside the government both that inspects and assesses schools.

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  • gamer.tv changed the title to On Wednesday I’ll be taking part in my first ever strike action.

So, the demonstration was well attended and generated positive buzz. Here’s hoping the government assesses the situation, realises more people are aware they can join a teaching union temporarily, and agree to fund schools for any pay rises, then anything regarding my pay is a bonus.

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I’ve agreed to strike for the final two days, though I desperately hope they are cancelled and talks commence over pay. Both Scotland and Wales have been given new terms of payment, along with time to vote - with Scotland’s in particular a great boost (for too earners, about £8000 more, all funded by the government). Thankfully, I spoke with my union and due to my wife also taking strike action, they will offer some strike relief pay. 

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Had a minor worry before when I saw that my daily loss of pay showed as 86.99…which seemed higher than I thought (and planned on) - to then find out my actual loss of earnings was closer to £45, and the reality of salary earnings hit home, though I think our HR may have incorrectly deducted me, which does just mean a rebate sooo….

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my thought on teachers wages...you went in knowing what you would get. its no secret they are paid piss poor- so why did you do it? Get paid like ass and deal with disrespectful twats all day long. Id rather work fast food - same result...paid like ass, just dealing with adult disrespectful twats. 

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11 hours ago, SmugPrick said:

my thought on teachers wages...you went in knowing what you would get. its no secret they are paid piss poor- so why did you do it? Get paid like ass and deal with disrespectful twats all day long. Id rather work fast food - same result...paid like ass, just dealing with adult disrespectful twats. 

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12 hours ago, SmugPrick said:

my thought on teachers wages...you went in knowing what you would get. its no secret they are paid piss poor- so why did you do it? Get paid like ass and deal with disrespectful twats all day long. Id rather work fast food - same result...paid like ass, just dealing with adult disrespectful twats. 


I’ll set out my reasoning.

 

The increase in pay hasn’t followed inflation, so for a teacher of 10 years, that has meant an overall loss of £64,000. I’m in my third year so I took action to a) prevent this reality for my future b) be a voice for those whose unions didn’t secure enough balloting numbers to strike.

 

This year, the government did offer a substantial increase for early careers teachers, and made a lot of noise about this, but took it directly from the existing school budget (which also didn’t grow with inflation), so we have less money as a school for everything (resources, staff, trips, bills).
 

The system and funding for children has fallen off a cliff, so the support children with special educational needs is worse than it ever has been (currently it takes 2-3 years to have an agreed diagnosis of ASD which is unbelievable and can leave children, parents, and schools with no extra money to offer specialist provision some children need).

 

Due to a lack of funding to schools, there is a lack of money available for continuous professional development. If people are not developed and invested in, they feel less valued and supported which has led to 30% of teachers leaving after 5 years and 50% saying they intend to leave.

 

Then, my selfish reason: we are in a cost of living crisis in the UK with inflation hovering around 10%, and anecdotally, from April, all of my bills will increase by 15-20%. I need more

money due to this.

 

 

None of my issues with education are to do with the children I teach, my colleagues, the parents of our children - it’s entirely about a complete an utter lack of investment in a sector which creates the rest. It needs to change.

 

I hope that answers why I took part in industrial action. 

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does your union need the help of a socialist revolutionary? I'll donate if I can. 

 

Why do I feel like I'm Marxist Beatlejuice? I guess this is walking the walk. 

 

Edit: Do you need a new videogame in these trying times? I think that would count as class solidarity.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 3/18/2023 at 11:45 PM, Zaku3 said:

does your union need the help of a socialist revolutionary? I'll donate if I can. 

 

Why do I feel like I'm Marxist Beatlejuice? I guess this is walking the walk. 

 

Edit: Do you need a new videogame in these trying times? I think that would count as class solidarity.


That’s very kind of you - but I’m OK (at least for the time being).

 

Since I’ve started, I’ll keep on updating this as a running log/personal diary.
 

My union have been in intensive talks and the government have offered a 4.5% pay rise (4% coming from existing school budgets that they can’t afford) and a one off, non-consolidated (and taxable) pay off of £1000.

 

This isn’t close to what teachers  in Scotland and Wales have been offered.

 

We’ve been asked to reject the deal by our union - which I have - and I assume the majority will do as well. Then, it’s either last minute talks or Orr industrial action is to come. There’s also the chance that other unions will re-ballot and, if successful, more teachers will be offers the chance to take industrial action (along with headteachers), which would cause massive amounts of disruption if it came to pass as nearly every teacher I know is part of a union.

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  • 3 months later...

So today the government announced a 6.5% uplift in teacher pay in the UK. They are funding 3% and schools are funding 3.5% (wither the government increasing the amount of funding schools are due to receive along with a gradual rollout of £2 billion over the next two years) which my union has recommended to accept. 
 

So, it worked? We got a bigger deal, a better deal (not perfect as it doesn’t come close to inflation or matching the private sector) but in September I’ll earn just under £5000 more). 

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3 hours ago, gamer.tv said:

So today the government announced a 6.5% uplift in teacher pay in the UK. They are funding 3% and schools are funding 3.5% (wither the government increasing the amount of funding schools are due to receive along with a gradual rollout of £2 billion over the next two years) which my union has recommended to accept. 
 

So, it worked? We got a bigger deal, a better deal (not perfect as it doesn’t come close to inflation or matching the private sector) but in September I’ll earn just under £5000 more). 

Star Wars Disney Plus GIF by Disney+

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On 7/14/2023 at 11:07 AM, Fizzzzle said:

Was this what that clip I saw with Sunak being like "we will NOT negotiate again!"?

 

Kind of a weird take to have. I'm pretty sure telling your work force "not to strike... or else" kind of illustrates why people strike in the first place.


They’ve been looking at ways to make striking illegal. Sooner this government goes the better! Really, we’ll accept this time and then I’d imagine ballot again if the next increase isn’t in line with inflation rises. 

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