Should teachers be allowed to go on STRIKE?

My son's school is going on strike next week. This is not a national strike. I live in UK, London. Apparently , they are not happy with the new head teacher. Is depriving children of their education really the only way to get their views across? What do you think?

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Permalink Reply by Katrina Brandenburg on May 16, 2011 at 5:54pm

It is unfortunate that the children will be the ones who suffer as a result of this teachers strike. I think that when there are legitamate reasons for going on strike, teacher should be able to. Like all unions that go on strike, I also think that if there is not a quick resolution, there are others who are willing to do the work while the others are on strike. Hope things work out well for your son's school...

Things like this make me think even more about homeschooling!!

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Permalink Reply by Amy Myrick on May 17, 2011 at 6:22am

The whole education system... is starting to get really frustrating. If you dont have teachers going on strike, you have teacher layoffs. Neither of these help the children. (Im in Michigan). I know my mom (who has worked as a IA- teachers aid - for special ed for like 10 years or more ) is being laid off at the end of this year - due to budget cuts. out of 14 IAs they are looking at cutting 6-10 :( how is this going to help? Oh yeah, and they are even letting go of about 15 teachers across the whole district. they are going to let go of all the non tenure (?) teachers and keep the ones who have 5 or more years. But if you think that its a budget problem...wouldnt you try to get some of your teachers who have been there for over 15 years to retire? and maybe bring in some fresh teachers.... (im sorry, but when a teacher told me he remembered my aunt and uncles.... yea....) sorry, t hats just my own vent about schools.

As for homeschooling - I would love to look at that as an option, but I just work too much to be able to do that. This is when i wish i could be a stay at home mom.

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Permalink Reply by creatingchildhoodmemories on May 17, 2011 at 9:34am

My husband is a teacher, and in your case I don't think there is a legitimate concern to go on strike, people all over have to work for people they don't like or agree with. But teachers should be allowed to go on strike for legitimate concerns. In our school district, they our trying to take away the teachers union right to negotiate policies and concerns. There is also a $9million dollar deficit in the school districts budget that they are only going to be taking away from teachers and not administrators or other district personnel. They will be doing layoffs, pay cuts, etc. They have also been giving the higher up people raises every year while decreasing teachers pay.

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Permalink Reply by Tutoring Match on May 18, 2011 at 8:29am

Striking is a last ditch effort. It is a way of being heard. If school boards listened to the thoughts and concerns of teachers and acted accordingly there would be no need for such desperate measures.

Think of it this way...are the teachers doing this to make a better environment FOR your kids?

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Permalink Reply by Jen on May 23, 2011 at 5:26pm

I'm a teacher in NY and we are not allowed to strike because the students' academics will suffer due to conflicts that have nothing to do with them. What we are allowed to do is "work to rule" which means arrive just before the day begins and leave at the closing bell and refuse to run any activities outside the regular school day.

Keep in mind that most teachers HATE working to rule, but sadly the state is playing hardball with eduation and the union must take a stand.

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Permalink Reply by Nina Riley on May 29, 2011 at 10:45am

That sounds a lot better to me. I think we call that 'work to rule in UK'. Thanks Jen.

Jen said:

I'm a teacher in NY and we are not allowed to strike because the students' academics will suffer due to conflicts that have nothing to do with them. What we are allowed to do is "work to rule" which means arrive just before the day begins and leave at the closing bell and refuse to run any activities outside the regular school day.

Keep in mind that most teachers HATE working to rule, but sadly the state is playing hardball with eduation and the union must take a stand.

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Permalink Reply by Nina Riley on May 29, 2011 at 10:54am

Katrina, Amy,creatingchildhoodmemories, Tutoring Match and Jen thank you for your comments. Very much appreciated. Since posting the question the strike has gone ahead and now more action will be taken in June- 2 day strike. How sad and unacceptable this is. The reason has nothing to do with the safety of our children; it's to do with management style! I will keep you posted.