teachers on strike today

Are you aware of the full reasons behind the strike and the impact that those changes could have on teachers. If you are and you original post is your honest oppionion then by all means ntitled to it, if not have a look on here as to the reasons behind today's strike.

http://www.teachers.org.uk

So performance related pay and working until 68 are the real reasons. Wow welcome to the real world. If a cleaner/dinner lady/bin man/ highways worker/school admin staff/park keeper/ leisure centre worker/ libarian etc etc all have to work to 68 why not a teacher. And any teacher that believes performance related pay is a bad thing can only be regarded as a bad teacher as ALL decent teachers will reach all targets no question. As for over worked again find me somebody who isnt. But give me 13 weeks a year off im sure it would help to recharge my battery.

Jackf, quick question do you have any connection to education? Reason I ask is if you say no I will have an understanding of why you have posted those comments as anybody that has an understanding of what is really going on in schools would never genuinely believe the points you have raised.

You do realise how poorly our schools are performing don't you? And yes I do have a connection to education and I am horrified by the performance and ability of many teachers and the ridiculous protection given to them by their unions. If PRP helps to weed more of them out the great. As for working to 68. Almost everybody in the uk has accepted it, no idea why teachers think they should be different.

Why not restructure education. Teachers work 8.30 to 5, bit of extra hours on weekends, 5weeks leave a year and all inset/ppa time must be spent in school. Any snow days if you dont attend you lose a days pay and like all local authority staff you must go through job evaluation and be forced to agree to new terms and conditions and in many cases a substantial pay cut.
Maybe teachers need to spend a bit of time in the real world every couple of years to see what its like outside the bubble of school

8.30-5 most teachers would take that, as I bet the average working day of a teacher is a lot longer. It sounds to me that you maybe a little bit bitter that teachers have worked hard to earn the qualifications to do the job and to receive the benigits that come with it. Maybe if the conditions they receive are so good you should have considered a job in teaching yourself. It sounds to me that you are unhappy with the standard of teaching in our schools so maybe you could do a better job?

I agree there are some inadequate teachers out there but they are a very small percentage and there needs to be a support network in place to assist those teachers to improve.

I have a challenge for any anti-strikers who are at home with the kids today. Seeing as you are so distressed about them losing a day of education, I challenge you to teach them Literacy between 9:30 and 10:30. You can do reading, writing or oracy but make sure you write down what you intend to do before hand- this will require searching documents online for curriculum orders and National Literacy Framework targets for their age. Give them 15 minutes play time after this.

10:45 - 12:00/12:10: Maths now. Same idea you will need to write it down before hand. I'm sure as you are so vehemently against your children missing a day you all have Maths work books at home for them to practice regularly anyway. Again do what you like but make sure it's suitable for their ability.

12:10 - 1:05: They can have lunch now. And whilst they have the right to eat, you can to! Yay aren't we lucky being allowed to eat!

1:05- :1:35: Reading time. Any book you want but make sure you set them some rich activities to ensure they understand the book.

1:35- 3: In my class today would have been Science project day. Good luck. Remember to check the documents to see what they need to do. My 9/10 year olds were going to be reading about the ear and how it functions. Then create an information poster using the features of the genre correctly and correct scientific vocabulary.

3-3:15 tidy up, collect your stuff, say the prayer send the kid off to play.

3:15 - 5:15 (minimum): Now you can do more paperwork/attend meetings/consult parents/run an after school club etc.

5:15. You can stop. You've done the minimum day and without half the heavier duty stuff you actually need to do. Now consider expanding this experience over a week. Now consider expanding it and on the next strike day invite your child's whole class around.
Has your child achieved his targets today? He might have. Well done you can have a pay rise. Oh what's that? Your child comes from a deprived home, is already 2 years below expected standards for his age and due to the National Literacy Test not being differentiated has failed to reach the target despite making great strides? Sorry no pay rise for you.

Don't worry it was only 1% anyway. Not like those meddling MP's who got 12K. Not worth being angry about.

Oh and by the way: because I knew I was striking today I merely moved all my planning forward a day, so your child has lost out on absolutely zip.

And remember now- NO DAYS OFF FOR SICKNESS OR HOLIDAY because that will put them behind. Additionally please make sure they complete their homework on time.

Im sure we could all put a typical working day on here and ask if you would fancy it. Difference is many peoples days are longer, rewards less and working conditions far worse. The injustice so many teachers percieve applies to them and them alone is stunningly nieve, as this thread clearly demonstrates.

I ain't reading all that. You said you were doing it to make a difference, well go and make a difference then if that's your sole reason for goin into that profession then get on with it. I chose mine as it pays well.

Lol. Argue away but can't be bothered reading the other side of the argument.
I will be making a difference today by heading to the N.U.T rally down the Bay.

Someone on here finally talking sense!!!!

My missus works in the public sector and as I told her last week, and when she was moaning about she had to put more in her pension as the government wanted to pay less, I told her welcome to the real world.

Doesn't make it right though

Well, thats a matter of opinion.

They are still getting a pension private workers can only dream of, and contributing very little towards it.

The governments contribution is still crazy compared to what private sector workers get from their employers.

The pensions dished out to public sector workers are absurd, and they rightly needed looking at.

My missus is a civil servant, and my sister is a teacher, so there is no axe to grind im just talking logic here.

Talking logic? Really?

Why should it be a race to the bottom? Don't you think it would be better to aim to bring the private sector in line with the public sector?

I'm sure private sector workers think that the public sector spend their retirement sipping champagne on their private jets. In reality the only people who really have a comfortable retirement are the fat cat bosses of... Wait for it... Private sector companies!

Before lecturing public sector workers you should take a long hard look at the way money in the private sector is filtered down the ranks!

Im not lecturing anybody, just got no sympathy whatsoever with the public sector apart from the emergency services.

Everyone should wake up and smell the coffee as you say at the moment it's everyone out for themselves and not giving a shit about others jobs etc. good old divide and conquer rule and we all know where that gets you. Everyone one thinks they know the ins and outs of others jobs inc teachers which they don't nearly every school is going to be laying off a couple of teachers each soon with the cutbacks and good old austerity. The emergency Services do people realise where their local copper is now coming from to their local area ie Bridgend/Aberkenfig now covers from porthcawl ,maesteg ,pencoed . Fire service loads of Stations closing Porthcawl,Kenfig Hill ( one replaced station to cover both with longer turn up times. Barry losing a pump, Pontypridd losing a pump , Porth closing ,Blaina closing ,Cwmbran, Cowbridge I can go on and on .

My heart bleeds.

Polo doesn't change, your up your own arse so far you cant see any daylight any more,

I am sorry that fact I have little sympathy for your wife having to work longer, pay more into her pension, and be judged on performance. They are hardly draconian measures, they are measures the private sector have had to face up to as well.

The cuts in the public sector, not just teachers, will have a direct effect on me and my family but im not blindly going to agree with something I dont agree with just because it means my household will be worse off.

I am sorry that my difference of opinion makes you so angry.

Where have I said i'm angry, yet again making things up

My missus works in the public sector and as I told her last week, and when she was moaning about she had to put more in her pension as the government wanted to pay less, I told her welcome to the real world.

Doesn't make it right though

Well, thats a matter of opinion.

They are still getting a pension private workers can only dream of, and contributing very little towards it.

The governments contribution is still crazy compared to what private sector workers get from their employers.

The pensions dished out to public sector workers are absurd, and they rightly needed looking at.

My missus is a civil servant, and my sister is a teacher, so there is no axe to grind im just talking logic here.

Talking logic? Really?

Why should it be a race to the bottom? Don't you think it would be better to aim to bring the private sector in line with the public sector?

I'm sure private sector workers think that the public sector spend their retirement sipping champagne on their private jets. In reality the only people who really have a comfortable retirement are the fat cat bosses of... Wait for it... Private sector companies!

Before lecturing public sector workers you should take a long hard look at the way money in the private sector is filtered down the ranks!

Im not lecturing anybody, just got no sympathy whatsoever with the public sector apart from the emergency services.

Everyone should wake up and smell the coffee as you say at the moment it's everyone out for themselves and not giving a shit about others jobs etc. good old divide and conquer rule and we all know where that gets you. Everyone one thinks they know the ins and outs of others jobs inc teachers which they don't nearly every school is going to be laying off a couple of teachers each soon with the cutbacks and good old austerity. The emergency Services do people realise where their local copper is now coming from to their local area ie Bridgend/Aberkenfig now covers from porthcawl ,maesteg ,pencoed . Fire service loads of Stations closing Porthcawl,Kenfig Hill ( one replaced station to cover both with longer turn up times. Barry losing a pump, Pontypridd losing a pump , Porth closing ,Blaina closing ,Cwmbran, Cowbridge I can go on and on .

My heart bleeds.

Polo doesn't change, your up your own arse so far you cant see any daylight any more,

I am sorry that fact I have little sympathy for your wife having to work longer, pay more into her pension, and be judged on performance. They are hardly draconian measures, they are measures the private sector have had to face up to as well.

The cuts in the public sector, not just teachers, will have a direct effect on me and my family but im not blindly going to agree with something I dont agree with just because it means my household will be worse off.

I am sorry that my difference of opinion makes you so angry.

Where have I said i'm angry, yet again making things up

It clearly comes across that way when you started with the insults

I have a challenge for any anti-strikers who are at home with the kids today. Seeing as you are so distressed about them losing a day of education, I challenge you to teach them Literacy between 9:30 and 10:30. You can do reading, writing or oracy but make sure you write down what you intend to do before hand- this will require searching documents online for curriculum orders and National Literacy Framework targets for their age. Give them 15 minutes play time after this.

10:45 - 12:00/12:10: Maths now. Same idea you will need to write it down before hand. I'm sure as you are so vehemently against your children missing a day you all have Maths work books at home for them to practice regularly anyway. Again do what you like but make sure it's suitable for their ability.

12:10 - 1:05: They can have lunch now. And whilst they have the right to eat, you can to! Yay aren't we lucky being allowed to eat!

1:05- :1:35: Reading time. Any book you want but make sure you set them some rich activities to ensure they understand the book.

1:35- 3: In my class today would have been Science project day. Good luck. Remember to check the documents to see what they need to do. My 9/10 year olds were going to be reading about the ear and how it functions. Then create an information poster using the features of the genre correctly and correct scientific vocabulary.

3-3:15 tidy up, collect your stuff, say the prayer send the kid off to play.

3:15 - 5:15 (minimum): Now you can do more paperwork/attend meetings/consult parents/run an after school club etc.

5:15. You can stop. You've done the minimum day and without half the heavier duty stuff you actually need to do. Now consider expanding this experience over a week. Now consider expanding it and on the next strike day invite your child's whole class around.
Has your child achieved his targets today? He might have. Well done you can have a pay rise. Oh what's that? Your child comes from a deprived home, is already 2 years below expected standards for his age and due to the National Literacy Test not being differentiated has failed to reach the target despite making great strides? Sorry no pay rise for you.

Don't worry it was only 1% anyway. Not like those meddling MP's who got 12K. Not worth being angry about.

Oh and by the way: because I knew I was striking today I merely moved all my planning forward a day, so your child has lost out on absolutely zip.

And remember now- NO DAYS OFF FOR SICKNESS OR HOLIDAY because that will put them behind. Additionally please make sure they complete their homework on time.

Im sure we could all put a typical working day on here and ask if you would fancy it. Difference is many peoples days are longer, rewards less and working conditions far worse. The injustice so many teachers percieve applies to them and them alone is stunningly nieve, as this thread clearly demonstrates.

Have another read through some of these posts particularly dsw110885, as I think you are missing the point.

Doesn't make it right though[/quote]

Well, thats a matter of opinion.

They are still getting a pension private workers can only dream of, and contributing very little towards it.

The governments contribution is still crazy compared to what private sector workers get from their employers.

The pensions dished out to public sector workers are absurd, and they rightly needed looking at.

My missus is a civil servant, and my sister is a teacher, so there is no axe to grind im just talking logic here.[/quote]

Talking logic? Really?

Why should it be a race to the bottom? Don't you think it would be better to aim to bring the private sector in line with the public sector?

I'm sure private sector workers think that the public sector spend their retirement sipping champagne on their private jets. In reality the only people who really have a comfortable retirement are the fat cat bosses of... Wait for it... Private sector companies!

Before lecturing public sector workers you should take a long hard look at the way money in the private sector is filtered down the ranks![/quote]

Im not lecturing anybody, just got no sympathy whatsoever with the public sector apart from the emergency services.[/quote]


Everyone should wake up and smell the coffee as you say at the moment it's everyone out for themselves and not giving a shit about others jobs etc. good old divide and conquer rule and we all know where that gets you. Everyone one thinks they know the ins and outs of others jobs inc teachers which they don't nearly every school is going to be laying off a couple of teachers each soon with the cutbacks and good old austerity. The emergency Services do people realise where their local copper is now coming from to their local area ie Bridgend/Aberkenfig now covers from porthcawl ,maesteg ,pencoed . Fire service loads of Stations closing Porthcawl,Kenfig Hill ( one replaced station to cover both with longer turn up times. Barry losing a pump, Pontypridd losing a pump , Porth closing ,Blaina closing ,Cwmbran, Cowbridge I can go on and on .[/quote]

My heart bleeds.[/quote]

Polo doesn't change, your up your own arse so far you cant see any daylight any more, [/quote]

I am sorry that fact I have little sympathy for your wife having to work longer, pay more into her pension, and be judged on performance. They are hardly draconian measures, they are measures the private sector have had to face up to as well.

The cuts in the public sector, not just teachers, will have a direct effect on me and my family but im not blindly going to agree with something I dont agree with just because it means my household will be worse off.

I am sorry that my difference of opinion makes you so angry. [/quote]

Where have I said i'm angry, yet again making things up [/quote]

It clearly comes across that way when you started with the insults [/quote]

If you think that was an insult you must of lead a sheltered life

Didnt say I was insulted, it will take a lot more than that, but it doesnt change the fact you got personal all because our opinions differed on public sector working conditions.

7 hours a day and 13 weeks holiday.......wake up please and look around at others.....i have a duty to make sure my children go to school...i think teachers have to set an example

Stop them 6 months pay......lazy sods.

Didnt say I was insulted, it will take a lot more than that, but it doesnt change the fact you got personal all because our opinions differed on public sector working conditions.

I did get personal sorry, but I was worried about your head being stuck up your arse

7 hours a day and 13 weeks holiday.......wake up please and look around at others.....i have a duty to make sure my children go to school...i think teachers have to set an example

Stop them 6 months pay......lazy sods.

Another clown

Didnt say I was insulted, it will take a lot more than that, but it doesnt change the fact you got personal all because our opinions differed on public sector working conditions.

I did get personal sorry, but I was worried about your head being stuck up your arse

Go and give your wife one, release some of that tension, shes at a loose end today she might encourage a quickie.

Didnt say I was insulted, it will take a lot more than that, but it doesnt change the fact you got personal all because our opinions differed on public sector working conditions.

I did get personal sorry, but I was worried about your head being stuck up your arse

Go and give your wife one, release some of that tension, shes at a loose end today she might encourage a quickie.

Where did i ever say my wife was on strike today that's just you assuming she is, there are teachers unions that are not striking today but that's the trouble with your head up your arse you don't see a lot it's a bit dark up there

The public sector need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Absolutely agree. The Public Sector are stuck in the 70s FFS!!!

What the strikers don't realise is that schools and local authorities encourage strikes and I'llgive you the reason why. When I was in Merthyr Council we had to make savings so rather than sacking everybody we asked the workforce to take 3 days unpaid off at anytime during the year and if everyone had done that then the savings would be made. The Unions then really kicked off and held strike days. However what they didn't understand was the strike days they held which by the way were 3 altogether helped ensure the savings on the wages for the Strike days so the savings were made anyway!!!!

Low and behold Labour are now back in Merthyr and before the last election they vowed that they wouldn't ask for such a shame however what they are now doing to make the savings is to made over 100 redundant!!!

The public sector need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Absolutely agree. The Public Sector are stuck in the 70s FFS!!!

What the strikers don't realise is that schools and local authorities encourage strikes and I'llgive you the reason why. When I was in Merthyr Council we had to make savings so rather than sacking everybody we asked the workforce to take 3 days unpaid off at anytime during the year and if everyone had done that then the savings would be made. The Unions then really kicked off and held strike days. However what they didn't understand was the strike days they held which by the way were 3 altogether helped ensure the savings on the wages for the Strike days so the savings were made anyway!!!!

Low and behold Labour are now back in Merthyr and before the last election they vowed that they wouldn't ask for such a shame however what they are now doing to make the savings is to made over 100 redundant!!!

Perhaps the private sector should move towards the 70s aswell...

The public sector need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Absolutely agree. The Public Sector are stuck in the 70s FFS!!!

What the strikers don't realise is that schools and local authorities encourage strikes and I'llgive you the reason why. When I was in Merthyr Council we had to make savings so rather than sacking everybody we asked the workforce to take 3 days unpaid off at anytime during the year and if everyone had done that then the savings would be made. The Unions then really kicked off and held strike days. However what they didn't understand was the strike days they held which by the way were 3 altogether helped ensure the savings on the wages for the Strike days so the savings were made anyway!!!!

Low and behold Labour are now back in Merthyr and before the last election they vowed that they wouldn't ask for such a shame however what they are now doing to make the savings is to made over 100 redundant!!!

They are striking for a reason they know they will lose a days pay, maybe the fat cats at the top end of the council should downgrade their pay a bit they don't seem to lose out

The public sector need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Absolutely agree. The Public Sector are stuck in the 70s FFS!!!

What the strikers don't realise is that schools and local authorities encourage strikes and I'llgive you the reason why. When I was in Merthyr Council we had to make savings so rather than sacking everybody we asked the workforce to take 3 days unpaid off at anytime during the year and if everyone had done that then the savings would be made. The Unions then really kicked off and held strike days. However what they didn't understand was the strike days they held which by the way were 3 altogether helped ensure the savings on the wages for the Strike days so the savings were made anyway!!!!

Low and behold Labour are now back in Merthyr and before the last election they vowed that they wouldn't ask for such a shame however what they are now doing to make the savings is to made over 100 redundant!!!

They are striking for a reason they know they will lose a days pay, maybe the fat cats at the top end of the council should downgrade their pay a bit they don't seem to lose out

Completely missing my point which is the savings were made anyway just with indirect help fromthe Unions. Then just twelve months later they then follow the Unions again by helping to get Labour back inand low and behold over 100 dont have any jobs no more!!!!

As mentioned previously if teachers or anyone else think that they have having a touch time with their working conditions then they know where the door is and go into the private schools which we have in this country. You spend most of your life in work so if you dont like it then get out!!!

The public sector need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Absolutely agree. The Public Sector are stuck in the 70s FFS!!!

What the strikers don't realise is that schools and local authorities encourage strikes and I'llgive you the reason why. When I was in Merthyr Council we had to make savings so rather than sacking everybody we asked the workforce to take 3 days unpaid off at anytime during the year and if everyone had done that then the savings would be made. The Unions then really kicked off and held strike days. However what they didn't understand was the strike days they held which by the way were 3 altogether helped ensure the savings on the wages for the Strike days so the savings were made anyway!!!!

Low and behold Labour are now back in Merthyr and before the last election they vowed that they wouldn't ask for such a shame however what they are now doing to make the savings is to made over 100 redundant!!!

Perhaps the private sector should move towards the 70s aswell...

The reason why the private sector wouldn't go back to 70s mindset is because they would go bankrupt very quickly as they dont have Governments to financially support them

The public sector need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Absolutely agree. The Public Sector are stuck in the 70s FFS!!!

What the strikers don't realise is that schools and local authorities encourage strikes and I'llgive you the reason why. When I was in Merthyr Council we had to make savings so rather than sacking everybody we asked the workforce to take 3 days unpaid off at anytime during the year and if everyone had done that then the savings would be made. The Unions then really kicked off and held strike days. However what they didn't understand was the strike days they held which by the way were 3 altogether helped ensure the savings on the wages for the Strike days so the savings were made anyway!!!!

Low and behold Labour are now back in Merthyr and before the last election they vowed that they wouldn't ask for such a shame however what they are now doing to make the savings is to made over 100 redundant!!!

They are striking for a reason they know they will lose a days pay, maybe the fat cats at the top end of the council should downgrade their pay a bit they don't seem to lose out

Completely missing my point which is the savings were made anyway just with indirect help fromthe Unions. Then just twelve months later they then follow the Unions again by helping to get Labour back inand low and behold over 100 dont have any jobs no more!!!!

As mentioned previously if teachers or anyone else think that they have having a touch time with their working conditions then they know where the door is and go into the private schools which we have in this country. You spend most of your life in work so if you dont like it then get out!!!

What they singed up is different to what they are being told they are going to get now, why would you just walk away, if i singed a contract with you for you to supply a bricklayer to me for £20 an hour but when it was time to pay you i said i'm only giving you £15 per hour would you just take the loss and say okay than that's fine

The public sector need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Absolutely agree. The Public Sector are stuck in the 70s FFS!!!

What the strikers don't realise is that schools and local authorities encourage strikes and I'llgive you the reason why. When I was in Merthyr Council we had to make savings so rather than sacking everybody we asked the workforce to take 3 days unpaid off at anytime during the year and if everyone had done that then the savings would be made. The Unions then really kicked off and held strike days. However what they didn't understand was the strike days they held which by the way were 3 altogether helped ensure the savings on the wages for the Strike days so the savings were made anyway!!!!

Low and behold Labour are now back in Merthyr and before the last election they vowed that they wouldn't ask for such a shame however what they are now doing to make the savings is to made over 100 redundant!!!

They are striking for a reason they know they will lose a days pay, maybe the fat cats at the top end of the council should downgrade their pay a bit they don't seem to lose out

Completely missing my point which is the savings were made anyway just with indirect help fromthe Unions. Then just twelve months later they then follow the Unions again by helping to get Labour back inand low and behold over 100 dont have any jobs no more!!!!

As mentioned previously if teachers or anyone else think that they have having a touch time with their working conditions then they know where the door is and go into the private schools which we have in this country. You spend most of your life in work so if you dont like it then get out!!!

What they singed up is different to what they are being told they are going to get now, why would you just walk away, if i singed a contract with you for you to supply a bricklayer to me for £20 an hour but when it was time to pay you i said i'm only giving you £15 per hour would you just take the loss and say okay than that's fine

Come on Pontyclun you know that it wouldn't happen so quickly. Although I haven't seen the agreements most teachers now aren't given long term contracts so the likeihood is that they would have 12 months notice on such a change not 30 days as you tried to make out in your comparison

I've just returned from the rally down the Senedd. Bit short for my liking if I'm being honest. Should have had more speakers too.

Some interesting things pointed out. A teacher could strike for 7 YEARS non-stop and only then would they lose out on the same amount of money they will miss out on due to pension changes. Staggering.

Many talking about Performance Related Pay and how it's unworkable in teaching. I've stated why on previous posts.

The Plaid lady spoke well. Well enough for me to vote for her party.

Leighton Andrews popped by on a whim it seemed. Mixed reception. I think he was electioneering personally and gave him a good boo because his party in the WAG are making just as much of a mess as Gove.

Gove hasn't attended a single meeting in order to try and resolve the dispute. Shows how little commitment he has towards negotiation and how little respect he has for teachers.

I've just returned from the rally down the Senedd. Bit short for my liking if I'm being honest. Should have had more speakers too.

Some interesting things pointed out. A teacher could strike for 7 YEARS non-stop and only then would they lose out on the same amount of money they will miss out on due to pension changes. Staggering.

Many talking about Performance Related Pay and how it's unworkable in teaching. I've stated why on previous posts.

The Plaid lady spoke well. Well enough for me to vote for her party.

Leighton Andrews popped by on a whim it seemed. Mixed reception. I think he was electioneering personally and gave him a good boo because his party in the WAG are making just as much of a mess as Gove.

Gove hasn't attended a single meeting in order to try and resolve the dispute. Shows how little commitment he has towards negotiation and how little respect he has for teachers.

Sorry but education comes under the WAG in Wales so why should Gove even bother..?

Because not everything is devolved to WAG. Gove still effects us greatly.

Because not everything is devolved to WAG. Gove still effects us greatly.

Education like the NHS is through

Education isn't fully devolved. That's why Gove can make changes to Pay and Conditions and it effects us in Wales.

Education isn't fully devolved. That's why Gove can make changes to Pay and Conditions and it effects us in Wales.

Ok, Ive just watched the news and they were mentioning todays strike. Many of the teachers striking are saying that 'Our Union is telling us that the Government aren't talking' so what makes the teachers believe their Union reps 100% that this is actually the case..?

If you happen to see a re-run of what David Laws said he was very clever with his words. He said Gove has engaged with the unions in "the lead up" to the talks. He then went on to say something along the lines of top ranked department officials have been involved in the talks. Gove hasn't attended nor Laws even. Look past the politicians spiel and they admit it. Strange that I've yet to see Gove make an appearance today? You'd think he would. Wouldn't be at all surprised if later on he is suddenly filmed walking out of a meeting declaring how wonderful the other Unions are for coming to meet him!!

7 hours a day and 13 weeks holiday.......wake up please and look around at others.....i have a duty to make sure my children go to school...i think teachers have to set an example

Stop them 6 months pay......lazy sods.

Another clown

Nice job, nice cosy pension and holidays. 'Fluffy and pink' performance management in a bubble away from the real world. The real public in the real world know the score and the vast majority are totally against this 1970's type action. Stop them 6 months pay if they strike or manage them out of their very cushy 'jobs'

My missus works in the public sector and as I told her last week, and when she was moaning about she had to put more in her pension as the government wanted to pay less, I told her welcome to the real world.

Doesn't make it right though

Well, thats a matter of opinion.

They are still getting a pension private workers can only dream of, and contributing very little towards it.

The governments contribution is still crazy compared to what private sector workers get from their employers.

The pensions dished out to public sector workers are absurd, and they rightly needed looking at.

My missus is a civil servant, and my sister is a teacher, so there is no axe to grind im just talking logic here.

Talking logic? Really?

Why should it be a race to the bottom? Don't you think it would be better to aim to bring the private sector in line with the public sector?

I'm sure private sector workers think that the public sector spend their retirement sipping champagne on their private jets. In reality the only people who really have a comfortable retirement are the fat cat bosses of... Wait for it... Private sector companies!

Before lecturing public sector workers you should take a long hard look at the way money in the private sector is filtered down the ranks!

Im not lecturing anybody, just got no sympathy whatsoever with the public sector apart from the emergency services.

Everyone should wake up and smell the coffee as you say at the moment it's everyone out for themselves and not giving a shit about others jobs etc. good old divide and conquer rule and we all know where that gets you. Everyone one thinks they know the ins and outs of others jobs inc teachers which they don't nearly every school is going to be laying off a couple of teachers each soon with the cutbacks and good old austerity. The emergency Services do people realise where their local copper is now coming from to their local area ie Bridgend/Aberkenfig now covers from porthcawl ,maesteg ,pencoed . Fire service loads of Stations closing Porthcawl,Kenfig Hill ( one replaced station to cover both with longer turn up times. Barry losing a pump, Pontypridd losing a pump , Porth closing ,Blaina closing ,Cwmbran, Cowbridge I can go on and on .

My heart bleeds.

It will mate that's for sure with the me me me attitude of some

If you happen to see a re-run of what David Laws said he was very clever with his words. He said Gove has engaged with the unions in "the lead up" to the talks. He then went on to say something along the lines of top ranked department officials have been involved in the talks. Gove hasn't attended nor Laws even. Look past the politicians spiel and they admit it. Strange that I've yet to see Gove make an appearance today? You'd think he would. Wouldn't be at all surprised if later on he is suddenly filmed walking out of a meeting declaring how wonderful the other Unions are for coming to meet him!!

You don't have any proof whatsoever that Gove or Laws have or have not attended meetings