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Teachers' deal needs to be done
The threat of further industrial action by our teachers may not seemingly strike fear into the Government's heart but it is ominous for thousands of families.
The Government tried to downplay the strike as affecting a minority of schools and that is correct: about one in four schools here in Oxfordshire were either shut or had partial closures.
But it still meant an estimated 20,000 children were off.
And for many of those it means mum or dad had to take time off, work from home or even take their children to work with them.
That is a serious effect for families. Mums and dads will not welcome having to once again take more time off if there is another strike.
Schools secretary Ed Balls tried to position himself on the side of the parents, hoping no doubt that recruiting their 'outrage' would ultimately be a powerful bargaining tool for the Government's hand.
But there has hardly been an outpouring of anti-teacher feeling. Mums and dads have said they are not happy with the strike but many do seem to naturally feel some empathy for the teachers.
Let's hope that both sides remember it is the children and their parents who ultimately bear the brunt of further action as they hopefully look to resolve their dispute.
6:42am Friday 25th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Ian Sternberg, Harwell on 4:01pm Fri 25 Apr 08
We all hope that the Government has learnt that the Unions are fully prepared to stand up to Them and so will start to properly negotiate an acceptable settlement .
Nobody wants to see the children's education suffer but We need to make it crystal clear that further industrial action may be needed if the Government refuses to see sense .
Everybody should be supporting the Teachers because this Strike just like every other Dispute is not just about Pay but is about the long-term future of Our Public Services - We all have to Rally around the Teachers in order to defend Our Children's Education .
Ian Sternberg .
GMB - Oxford & District Trades Union Council .
We all hope that the Government has learnt that the Unions are fully prepared to stand up to Them and so will start to properly negotiate an acceptable settlement .
Nobody wants to see the children's education suffer but We need to make it crystal clear that further industrial action may be needed if the Government refuses to see sense .
Everybody should be supporting the Teachers because this Strike just like every other Dispute is not just about Pay but is about the long-term future of Our Public Services - We all have to Rally around the Teachers in order to defend Our Children's Education .
Ian Sternberg .
GMB - Oxford & District Trades Union Council .
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