But it's heritage seed that fail me never!I stay well clear of most of the news these days, especially the TV and newspapers - except for the UK Column. RSS feeds me with most of what I want, if I want it. But I have been keeping half an ear out for something in particular since austerity was announced by our Con-Dem coalition - the grumbling of teachers.
Well, according to statements, their unions continue to consider striking in protest against pay cuts, job losses and public sector pension purges; and they aren't the only ones. Now the leader of the civil servants union is warning of intensified action too, over coming months. These people care about their pay, their jobs and their pensions; and they will withhold their services until they get what they want..again!
Now it would be true to say that I don't condone the austerity being meted out on the British public at all, however "necessary" politicians suggest it is. But that said, I just can't empathize with this group on this matter at this time.
I like to think I'm halfway through my life and so far have lost count of times that teachers have gone on strike in this country, yet fail to recall any major losses on their behalf. No Policemen breaking up their picket lines, no harsh losses by the unions in the courts leading to widespread redundancies and I can't remember them being forced into any u-turns by any of the governments of the day. They have not been forced to steadily accept lower wages for the past 20 years, they have not faced shrinking career prospects nor have they seen their particular sector of expertise re-located to the east for profit - though I'm sure someone's working on it. No, they have maintained the strength of their unions, remained single minded in their demands and have managed to dodge the slow decay of prospects and prosperity that many other sections of British society have had to face, until now it seems.
I'm not sure how this fight will "pan out" between the government and the nations teachers, but I don't see another walk over for the teachers. It's not that I relish the austerity being aimed at them, but I do think they have had more than enough go their way over the years. Not a strong union in support of others, but they fight hard for themselves. I had a few bonus days off school in my time when they felt their wallets didn't reflect their true value as professionals. Or was it training days impacting on their holidays, or working to rule at break times or marking papers; I can't recall, so many years, so many skirmishes, so few reasons.
Still, at least the education system that we invest so heavily in is turning out lots of future potential; eager minds that are bright eyed about their prospects and encouraged as individuals. Oh no! I must have passed another recruitment hoarding on the way home, "Those that use their heads, teach!". Clever, on so many levels! Maybe if comprehensive school heads concentrated less on their school becoming a "Football Academy" and more on becoming an "English Exemplar" we'd have less young adults filling out benefit applications in TXT SPK - OMG LOL X!
Still, it looks like the fight is on and not just the teachers, they've got allies now as the civil service union warn the government of coming action. Of course I could mention that teachers might struggle to find support, generally in the UK. Not due to popularity you understand, more a matter of rarity - working people, in a union that is. But it looks like these two groups have found a Common Purpose and are set to form an alliance against the government.. Hussar!
I can't wait to watch this showdown. Well paid public servants allying themselves with other well paid public servants to fight the will of the highest paid public servants of all! All we need now is the police called in on overtime to "direct" proceedings and then I reckon I am truly embracing the depths of austerity as a taxpayer.
" Here, why don't you just talk it out over my kitchen table, help yourself to something to eat, the wine's under there and here's all I earned last month - I'll go feed homeless people so I don't start asking, WHERE THE HELL ARE MY TAXES GOING.. again!".
As a side note, I know that Cameron has already committed 814 million austerity pounds (formerly sterling) for our support in vaccination funding to third world countries at the moment; but if the BBC could fit in a Great British Menu - "10 years in Afghanistan" special and we could have a days holiday for an "Iraqi Freedom" street party that could raise Brits morale during these difficult times for everyone - thanks.
"Those who can, do; those who can't teach; and those who can do neither, administer."
- Calvin Calverley.
