http://www.teachingnews.co.uk/2006/03/strike-action-on-tuesday/ The latest news, links and ideas for teachers... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.teachingnews.co.uk/2006/03/strike-action-on-tuesday/#comment-288 Bob Fri, 24 Mar 2006 10:40:48 +0000 http://www.teachingnews.co.uk/?p=1224#comment-288 I recommend that you ask the Head (and maybe the chair of Governors) to confirm that they have carried out a risk assessment for opening the school when the caretaker will not have opened up, the toilets will not have been cleaned, the meals will not be cooked, and the teaching assistants will not be there to support the teachers. If they cannot confirm that they are providing a safe workplace, then protect yourself by not putting yourself at risk. If they think that they can provide a safe workplace, and are brave enough to put it in writing (and thus taking personal responsibility for any child or teaching staff injured on 28th March) then the striking unions would appreciate a financial contribution to the hardship funds. I recommend that you ask the Head (and maybe the chair of Governors) to confirm that they have carried out a risk assessment for opening the school when the caretaker will not have opened up, the toilets will not have been cleaned, the meals will not be cooked, and the teaching assistants will not be there to support the teachers.
If they cannot confirm that they are providing a safe workplace, then protect yourself by not putting yourself at risk. If they think that they can provide a safe workplace, and are brave enough to put it in writing (and thus taking personal responsibility for any child or teaching staff injured on 28th March) then the striking unions would appreciate a financial contribution to the hardship funds.

]]> http://www.teachingnews.co.uk/2006/03/strike-action-on-tuesday/#comment-287 Craig Thu, 23 Mar 2006 19:25:25 +0000 http://www.teachingnews.co.uk/?p=1224#comment-287 The NUT advice is quite clear, that all union members should respect the actions of another unions members and not fill in for them during their absence. This is the best way we can support their action. In most cases, because of the unions involved, it means schools with no caretaker, lunchtime staff, first aiders, SEN support etc... and so schools cannot open. At the end of the day the head must assess the health and safty implications and act accordingly. We cannot strike in sympathy with other workers (it is against the law) but we can support their cause by refusing to cover lunchtimes etc in their absence. I know many people in schools feel that it is the children who suffer too, however surely if staff are not valued for the contributions they make to childrens education we will not recruit and motivate the highly competent staff we need - ultimatly meaning children suffer more! The NUT advice is quite clear, that all union members should respect the actions of another unions members and not fill in for them during their absence. This is the best way we can support their action. In most cases, because of the unions involved, it means schools with no caretaker, lunchtime staff, first aiders, SEN support etc… and so schools cannot open. At the end of the day the head must assess the health and safty implications and act accordingly. We cannot strike in sympathy with other workers (it is against the law) but we can support their cause by refusing to cover lunchtimes etc in their absence.
I know many people in schools feel that it is the children who suffer too, however surely if staff are not valued for the contributions they make to childrens education we will not recruit and motivate the highly competent staff we need – ultimatly meaning children suffer more!

]]>