champagnecharlie

Maybe I am a little sensitive but the tone of that post was very flippant and not at all helpful.

I don't think Airy meant to be flippant,not that I can speak for him or her,of course. The way I read all the various posts,we all came to contrast last term and the coming one in the context of the proposed action. In that context,it's fair to consider this term easier as far as workload goes (study leave and no S1s).

Jeez-O!  People what ever happened to standing as one? We all have our specific problems and we all feel like givin up but CAN'T.  This is exactly what the powers at be want.  So what if others in your workplace do not work to rule - that's up to them - you have the right and if this causes gossip or backstabbing then shoot from the hip and tell them to grow a pair/get outa yir face or simply deal with it! I am fed up hearing teachers whingin about their life and when asked to step up don't - for whatever crappy reason.  As Mr Nike says - just do it!

champagnecharlie

Airy, I didn't think I could feel worse but I do now, thanks for the support, not! You do not know the ins and outs of my situation and I cannot, for various reasons, go into them on this board. Unfortunately this forum, which used to be supportive, is really becoming a 'no-go zone'. I hope you are joking about 'doing presentations', this is not really a viable effective teaching method in my subject. I aim to be good at my job for the pupils sake. Sadly, I think this will be my last post.

I don't know your situation which is why I was confused that timetable issues would make such a difference to you. I'd like to give useful advice but if you what you want is unqualified ageeement and sympathy the I'm afraid we disagree as to what support is. The presentations were slightly tongue in cheek but when workload is pressing you do sometimes need to look at ways to lessen marking.

I have a suggestion. Instead of titles such as 'opinion' etc why don't we have boards with names like 'stick the boot in'! Honestly. So unfortunate. For the record jags, I have voted In every ballot and FOR action. I voted against the original proposals (unlike some colleagues).

champagnecharlie

Hello

 Got an email the other day from SSTA saying we are being balloted on a work to rule.  If, like me, you are the only person in your department in the SSTA how would you go about sticking to this without causing a riot? 

 

Work to rule doesn't work, in any case it is about 3 or 4 years too late, the horse is now a few miles away.  CFE is with us whether we like it or not (me not likey either) and working to rule isn't going to change that.  Lets defer our workload for another time.

 Lets face it the SSTA are usless, the EIS are usless and we're all f*cked.

 

Effinbankers

Lets face it the SSTA are usless, the EIS are usless and we're all f*cked.

It's members who make unions. If teachers support this ballot then they must stick to their guns and support the action. For as long as it takes. Let's remember: this is NOT about CfE which, let's face it, will be sorted one way or the other within two years. The SSTA ballot on wtr is in furtherance of our pensions campaign. We have to use it to remind our employers and the general public of the vital importance of the teaching profession for the future of Scotland. Our pensions are part of our salaries and MUST be defended if Scotland is to have a teaching profession worthy of the name. The WTR will bring a focus to this and will help teachers to manage their workload also. Further strike action may be needed also remember. This is a fight we cannot afford to lose. Courage! On les aura!

I think the NASUWT have been on one all year. Lady in my department just politely says no as she is 'working to her contract.' Nobody bats an eyelid. Have some blue sky thinking, if we can't cope in the 35 hours, it means we have either been deliberately or recklessly overloaded with tasks that cannot be met in a reasonable working week. I now know 4 people who have resigned and went back to unpromoted teacher in a variety of Faculty and Guidance jobs for mental health issues in the last 4 years. I am fielding more and more comments about lack of support from middle and senior management because they can't cope with the massive expectations. SMT provision is being cut. PTs to HoDs has meant management resource cut. The last 10 years has seen a scorched earth culture in the proper resourcing of leadership - why do you keep hearing about 'leadership at all levels' and 'leadership opportunities' for unpromoted staff? I for one look forward to a semblance of balance in my life when my National Leaders show their true valuation of teachers through wage freezes increased workload.

Double post delete!

Effinbankers

champagnecharlie

Hello

 Got an email the other day from SSTA saying we are being balloted on a work to rule.  If, like me, you are the only person in your department in the SSTA how would you go about sticking to this without causing a riot? 

 

Work to rule doesn't work, in any case it is about 3 or 4 years too late, the horse is now a few miles away.  CFE is with us whether we like it or not (me not likey either) and working to rule isn't going to change that.  Lets defer our workload for another time.

 Lets face it the SSTA are usless, the EIS are usless and we're all f*cked.

 

The work to rule is about pensions, not CfE. I think if we were balloted on CfE relation action there's would be a bigger response!

airy

The work to rule is about pensions, not CfE. I think if we were balloted on CfE relation action there's would be a bigger response!

 

The Hutton report was published  a year ago and its taken a year to come up with this, we will all be paying more on our pay packets next week

As I stated earlier I am no great fan of the EIS leadership, although still a member becasue I think its the only show in town.  Nobody in government cares if a few thousand SSTA members take this course of action.

The only action teachers can take which makes an impact is to strike.  Work to rule is the equivalent of a chocolate fireguard.

Don't worry champagnecharlie.  Whether it is a strike or work to rule, it is always difficult, and there is always stressful downsides to 'action'. 

 Personally, I think that with all the extra work that we are expected to do during exam leave that it will still be as effective as it can be because there is never enough time.  Ever since getting ready for when the Standard Grades came in, I have always found the study leave time to be inadequate for what is asked.  We will have to keep a firm check on what we do and how long it takes but surely working to rule is worth a try.

The EIS are part of the establishment. Took me 20 years of lies and letdowns to realise that. Mackie and Smith agreed to something that would not impinge on their pension provision then bailed out. I asked the SOPA to explain what happens if I withdraw - 3 weeks on, no reply!

Interesting thought experiment to those who won't strike or work-to-rule. What would it take to make you take action? Would you work for 50% less? For free? For a 20% cut? What is your price? The wage freeze has already cut our living standard by between 5-10% per year. It will go on, in a compound fashion, for the foreseeable future. 5 years at a 5% compound cut? Year 1 - 95.2% relative to previous year. (100/105 x 100%) Year 2 - 86.3% relative to year previous to Year 1. (95.2/110.25 x 100%) Year 3 - 74.5% as above. This assumes a 5% rate of inflation per year for living costs (conservative due to the number of exclusions on how it is calculated). By next year, your spending power will be 3/4 of what it was when the freeze kicked in! When do you take action? ps - I am willing to stand arithmetically corrected!