Unions, Protesting, Bullying, and Liberals

There was a march and a rally yesterday held by the teachers' unions in Jersey to protest wages and negotiating rights. I didn't go.

There was a union meeting on Thursday to encourage participation in said rally and protest and to lay out the position of the Union. I did attend that.

A lot of things have been said that I don't agree with.

The whole thing is that a pay freeze has been placed upon all States of Jersey workers. I think it's understandable in the economic climate. However, this was the second year in a row. And the States did it without negotiating. In a teacher's contract they have the right to negotiate about pay and conditions. (I'm not on the same contract, so it's different for me.) Every time the Unions have set down to negotiate the States have refused. They have sent low-level administrative types with no authority to do anything.

Needless to say the teachers are frustrated. They're quite happy to take what has now been offered (a 2% pay rise for this year and next year) in exchange for giving up lunch duties and things like that.

Now 2% seems like a lot. It's more than a lot of people get. However, in Jersey, it is standard to get a cost of living pay rise every year. The reason for this is due to inflation and the very high cost of living. The inflation for this year is already over 3%, so in effect, the 2% is already a pay cut since it doesn't even match inflation. Or, at least that's what the Unions say.

There's a lot more to it than that. But that's the general idea.

I am a member of a union, solely for the protection that it provides as me as a secondary school teacher. It is in case a student makes an allegation against me. I don't have the same contract as other teachers or the same rights. I am interested in the ongoing dispute because it affects my friends and colleagues. And it will affect me when they strike because I will be in school.

The attitude has been such that if you don't support the Union, though, that you're scum. I was literally getting bullied in the staff room on Friday for not attending the protest on Saturday. I don't believe in unions. I don't believe in protests. Sorry, this is taking me back to my political side. They are liberal ideas. And I do understand that teaching is a liberal profession, but I feel that I must remain true to my own ideals. And I am most definitely not a liberal. So, while I support my colleagues in their fight, I do not wish to participate. I know that pisses a lot of people off (hence the bullying), but I will not be forced into doing something that I don't agree with.