Pupils at Derbyshire schools face disruption as strike action looms over 'attack on teachers' pay'
LESSONS for pupils in schools across Derbyshire are likely to be disrupted later this year as the two main teaching unions take on the Government over pay and conditions.
A series of walkouts are planned during the summer and autumn, culminating in a national strike before Christmas.
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A series of walkouts by teachers will take place during the summer and autumn, culminating in a national strike before Christmas.
Local representatives of the two unions – National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers and National Union of Teachers – are fully supportive of the national action.
But Derby-based Voice: the union for education professionals, which does not take strike action, said the walkout would only harm children and not Education Secretary Michael Gove.
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The dispute is part of a continuing row over pay, pensions and workload and the unions have already been taking action, short of striking, by cutting back on bureaucracy and parents' meetings.
They have decided to escalate their action because the unions claim Mr Gove is not engaging in any meaningful dialogue over the dispute.
Welcoming the action, Sue Arguile, division secretary of Derby NUT, said: "A society gets the teachers it pays for and if we do not have decently paid teachers and a transparent pay structure, we will not be able to retain experienced teachers.
"This could lead to general de-skilling within the profession and a lowering of standards. The NUT sees the attack on teachers' pay as part of a much wider attack on the state education."
The last time the two unions took joint national action was during a public sector strike in November 2011.
Dave Wilkinson, NASUWT branch secretary, said: "Teachers in Derby have suffered alongside other teachers across the UK at the hands of this Government.
"Two years of pay freezes, pay cuts because of pension contribution increases and a pension age of 68 have been endured by Derby teachers."
But Voice general secretary Deborah Lawson, said: "We also opposes many of Mr Gove's policies because they damage both the teaching profession and children's education – but so does going on strike.
"There is little public support for strike action by teachers because it disrupts children's education and parents' lives, rather than the Government responsible for the disputed policies."
A Government spokesman said that less than a quarter of teachers had voted for industrial action.
He said: "We think giving schools the freedom to reward good performance is much fairer than current arrangements which see the vast majority of teachers automatically getting a pay rise each year.
"We have met frequently with the NUT and NASUWT to discuss their concerns and will continue to do so."
8 Comments
by make_redgreen
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 8:45PM
“Good for them. I can assure you that no commenter on this story will disagree that the Cypriots are right to be up in arms over the 'levy' that may apply.
With 4 years now or low interest rates (ZIRP) and QE, the pound has been trashed well and beyond what the Cypriots are being asked.
Want proof, go and look at the price per KW/H on your energy bills.
Glad to see a few more posters coming out of a slumber :)”
by JustMyOpinion
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 8:17PM
“So how do Voice expect to get their point of view across if they aren't prepared to have any form of back up?
Fines were introduced because of the high level of truanting, that's also inluded taking them out of term time just so as it makes the cost of a holiday cheaper.
Strike action is always the last resort with teaching unions and if you were being treated so badly within your career I'm pretty sure you'd like to be able to have your point of view put forward and have a back up plan!
Teachers don't take strike action easily, and I don't mean to sound horrid but for heavens sake parents, not all of you actually care that much about your childs education, or how your child behaves yet as soon as your child is sent home either because of exclusion or strike action you're the first to kick off. Please note I have said some parents, as I know a large percentage who do care about the education of their children, they ask them how they're day's gone, they look at their work, homework and bother to attend parent days etc. You know from talking to your childrens tutors that they care about your child, do you really think they'd do this on just a whim?
What Michael Gove is doing to education establishments is morally unfair, unjust and totally uncalled for. I can't wait till Dave Wilkinson is having across the table conversations with him.”
by stanvax
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 7:50PM
“When will people in the private sector strike over the holidays, pay and pensions enjoyed by public sector workers at the private sector's expense. (when private sector workers dont get them)?
Time for teachers to enter the real world, They should have UK average pensions, UK average holidays and then people might start to take their moans a bit more seriously”
by janine2011
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 6:27PM
“Gerryegan, how many times have the teachers at Sinfin been on strike in the last 12 months? Enough so the pupils lost near on two weeks yet a parent was fined for taking their child away for THREE extra days during the last strike. Now tell me that is fair. I personally never had a problem getting permission from my child's school to go on holiday during all his years at primary school. I deliberately have not taken him on holiday since last last year as he is now in year 10 and into the work for his GCSEs, which are important, but then his school have never gone out on strike either.”
by gerryegan
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 4:51PM
“JANINE2011 the reason you take your children on holidays in school term is not the teachers fault its because you cannot afford the flight out of term blame the airlines. now if we all stuck to-gether for better wages and pensions we could all have extras like holidays .now most people reading this story feel they are worse off high gas and elec bills etc dont blame your fellow workers for trying to pay there bills get to-gether and fight. when your children cant afford to get on the housing ladder will you blame your neighbour who might be a teacher the gov friends the bankers who got the country in this mess.and no i am not in a union just retrired and disabled but do not moan about workers trying for better wages and pensions”
by gerryegan
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 4:14PM
“can you tell me when worker went against worker in the fight for a proper wage and pension. these days when workers should be standing together for a better living while the rich get richer the selfish and the re crones in the richest goverment cabnet ever want to keep workers down. ibet the same people who moan about workers both private and puplic asking for fair pay to pay there bills are the same ones moaning about high gas and elec bills. young people cannot buy a house this means they cannot employ a plummer etc shops are closing because people have no extra money to spend. dont forget after the war we were in a much worse state and we managed good wages for workers and we spent our way out.it was the bankers who caused all this not the unions.STICK TOGETHER”
by derbydave1
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 12:10PM
“"Two years of pay freezes, pay cuts because of pension contribution increases and a pension age of 68 have been endured by Derby teachers."
This is no different or better than most hard working people have been given
What makes teachers so special?
Get a grip”
by janine2011
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 9:34AM
“If a parent wants to take their child on holiday in term time often as not they are refused and hit with fines even if their child has never had a day off or been late in their time at school. Parents are told it disrupts their child's education, so why iteachers can strike at the drop of hat so children are disrupted and that's okay? Double standards springs to mind. Schools where teachers strike several times a year have some nerve fining parents for taking their child on holiday.”