This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/oct/05/nut-national-union-teachers-strike-too-often

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The NUT encourages teachers to strike too often The NUT encourages teachers to strike too often
(1 day later)
Ian Grayson has been a PE teacher at Kenton school in Newcastle for 28 years. He is a national executive member for Tyne and Weir for the National Union of Teachers and is currently running for deputy general secretary of the union. Ian Grayson has been a PE teacher at Kenton school in Newcastle for 28 years. He is a national executive member for Tyne and Wear for the National Union of Teachers and is currently running for deputy general secretary of the union.
It was my love of sport that led me into teaching. When I became captain of the school team I helped my teacher out with organising games. They saw how much I enjoyed it and asked me to coach the younger groups. I loved it and felt instantly at home. It was a very easy decision for me to train as a PE teacher when I left school, I never considered any other career. My first job was at Kenton school in Newcastle and I’ve been there for 28 years.It was my love of sport that led me into teaching. When I became captain of the school team I helped my teacher out with organising games. They saw how much I enjoyed it and asked me to coach the younger groups. I loved it and felt instantly at home. It was a very easy decision for me to train as a PE teacher when I left school, I never considered any other career. My first job was at Kenton school in Newcastle and I’ve been there for 28 years.
At the end of August I launched my campaign to run for deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT). There’s been a debate going on within the union for quite some time about the political direction it is taking. A lot of people feel like it’s out of touch with ordinary teachers and is being dominated by hardline left groups that have little in common with the wider membership.At the end of August I launched my campaign to run for deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT). There’s been a debate going on within the union for quite some time about the political direction it is taking. A lot of people feel like it’s out of touch with ordinary teachers and is being dominated by hardline left groups that have little in common with the wider membership.
I’ve been particularly unhappy about how often the union has decided to take industrial action. I think it has resorted to striking too quickly and too frequently. People say it’s a last resort for teachers, but under the current leadership it hasn’t been – it’s now a common occurrence, and because of that it is losing its impact.I’ve been particularly unhappy about how often the union has decided to take industrial action. I think it has resorted to striking too quickly and too frequently. People say it’s a last resort for teachers, but under the current leadership it hasn’t been – it’s now a common occurrence, and because of that it is losing its impact.
I want us to get back to focusing on persuading the government about our case, rather than antagonising it and entrenching its position. The deputy general and general secretary have boasted that they’re the leadership that has led the union to the most days of industrial action in 30 years. I don’t think that’s something to boast about.I want us to get back to focusing on persuading the government about our case, rather than antagonising it and entrenching its position. The deputy general and general secretary have boasted that they’re the leadership that has led the union to the most days of industrial action in 30 years. I don’t think that’s something to boast about.
I didn’t support the most recent strike on 10 July – and a lot of people I know felt the same way. The media reported that turnout was patchy, and unfortunately I think that was true. I wanted there to be a ballot to see if people supported action, but it didn’t happen, and we suffered the consequences of that. Because people were asked more than two years ago whether they supported strike action the government questioned whether we had the mandate to do it. Rather than the debate focusing on the policy issues, it centred on the rights and wrongs of going on strike.I didn’t support the most recent strike on 10 July – and a lot of people I know felt the same way. The media reported that turnout was patchy, and unfortunately I think that was true. I wanted there to be a ballot to see if people supported action, but it didn’t happen, and we suffered the consequences of that. Because people were asked more than two years ago whether they supported strike action the government questioned whether we had the mandate to do it. Rather than the debate focusing on the policy issues, it centred on the rights and wrongs of going on strike.
The union isn’t focusing enough on certain issues. From talking to teachers as a national executive member for Tyne and Weir, I’ve found that people are predominantly concerned about their workloads, the constant changes to the curriculum, and the pressure they’re put under by Ofsted, league tables and performance indicators. Yes, people are concerned about their pensions and pay, and we need to be in discussions with the government about this. But the bigger issues for members relate to the pressures they’re put under on a daily basis. It’s the instability and constant fear of putting a foot wrong that’s getting to people.The union isn’t focusing enough on certain issues. From talking to teachers as a national executive member for Tyne and Weir, I’ve found that people are predominantly concerned about their workloads, the constant changes to the curriculum, and the pressure they’re put under by Ofsted, league tables and performance indicators. Yes, people are concerned about their pensions and pay, and we need to be in discussions with the government about this. But the bigger issues for members relate to the pressures they’re put under on a daily basis. It’s the instability and constant fear of putting a foot wrong that’s getting to people.
Currently, we’re not very influential on government policy or the views of opposition parties. And that’s a real shame. Because we’re seen as a very left-wing union that’s constantly in dispute, no political party wants to be closely associated with us in the runup to a general election.Currently, we’re not very influential on government policy or the views of opposition parties. And that’s a real shame. Because we’re seen as a very left-wing union that’s constantly in dispute, no political party wants to be closely associated with us in the runup to a general election.
But our voice should be at the table. The NUT has a great number of education experts – surely, we must have something to offer. I want the union to be in a position to have a real say on the development of the curriculum. Teachers should have input into what they teach.But our voice should be at the table. The NUT has a great number of education experts – surely, we must have something to offer. I want the union to be in a position to have a real say on the development of the curriculum. Teachers should have input into what they teach.
Yes, there will always have to be compromises on both sides, but hopefully there would be mutual respect. I’m not against striking – I’ve been on strikes – but with the current campaign I feel like we’ve exhausted this option. We need to find alternative ways to persuade the government of our arguments.Yes, there will always have to be compromises on both sides, but hopefully there would be mutual respect. I’m not against striking – I’ve been on strikes – but with the current campaign I feel like we’ve exhausted this option. We need to find alternative ways to persuade the government of our arguments.
And there needs to be one union for all teachers. We must actively work in every possible way to bring the teaching profession together. Teachers want to be united in a campaign with the people they sit next to in the staffroom. At the moment the movement is disjointed, as shown by the fact that only some of the teaching unions went on strike recently. If we had one united voice, we’d play a much bigger role in public debate.And there needs to be one union for all teachers. We must actively work in every possible way to bring the teaching profession together. Teachers want to be united in a campaign with the people they sit next to in the staffroom. At the moment the movement is disjointed, as shown by the fact that only some of the teaching unions went on strike recently. If we had one united voice, we’d play a much bigger role in public debate.
If we’re not careful we will lose public support. Former education secretary Michael Gove wasn’t removed by David Cameron because the NUT went on strike. We might want to claim that, but we need to be honest about the fact that a Tory prime minister doesn’t remove a Tory minister because they’re standing up to a union. Sometimes they in fact relish the fight.If we’re not careful we will lose public support. Former education secretary Michael Gove wasn’t removed by David Cameron because the NUT went on strike. We might want to claim that, but we need to be honest about the fact that a Tory prime minister doesn’t remove a Tory minister because they’re standing up to a union. Sometimes they in fact relish the fight.
What actually happened was that Cameron demoted Gove because he was unpopular. And he was unpopular because the NUT and other teaching unions, educationalists and the media, all came to the conclusion that the direction of his policies were wrong – and the public agreed with that. If we’d been more focused on influencing public opinion over the last three years, we may not be in the position we’re in now.What actually happened was that Cameron demoted Gove because he was unpopular. And he was unpopular because the NUT and other teaching unions, educationalists and the media, all came to the conclusion that the direction of his policies were wrong – and the public agreed with that. If we’d been more focused on influencing public opinion over the last three years, we may not be in the position we’re in now.
A lot of teachers are disengaged with the union – only 20% vote in elections. I know that I’m not the only person who feels this way, because I’ve been talking to members about these issues. On 5 January a fundamental decision is being made about the direction the union is going in. The silent majority needs to have a say in that.A lot of teachers are disengaged with the union – only 20% vote in elections. I know that I’m not the only person who feels this way, because I’ve been talking to members about these issues. On 5 January a fundamental decision is being made about the direction the union is going in. The silent majority needs to have a say in that.
• This article was amended on 6 October 2014 to correct the spelling of Tyne and Wear.
Follow us on Twitter via @GuardianTeach. Join the Guardian Teacher Network for lesson resources, comment and job opportunities, direct to your inbox.Follow us on Twitter via @GuardianTeach. Join the Guardian Teacher Network for lesson resources, comment and job opportunities, direct to your inbox.