Teachers' work to rule will begin this week
Teachers are set to start their work to rule action from Wednesday in a row over changes to pensions.
The action is being taken by the National Union of Teachers and the NASUWT, two of the biggest teaching unions, who are also campaigning for better working practices.
Children's after-school activities and lunchtime supervision could be hit.
Union leaders in the city said it was not designed to disrupt children's learning and that strike action would only be a "last resort".
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Ian Leaver, assistant secretary of Leicester's NUT branch, said: "Approximately 50 per cent of teachers in the city are in the NUT but, combined with the NASUWT make up more than 80 per cent of the teaching workforce nationally and so we expect the action to be widespread.
"It's against central government policies and is designed to encourage the education secretary, Michael Gove, to discuss teachers' concerns. It is not designed to hit the learning of children. Indeed, it's designed to free up teachers to allow them to do the job that they are paid to do."
Nikki Anderson, who has two children at Avenue Primary, in Clarendon Park, said: "It could affect my elder son who attends a lunch time table tennis club, but that wouldn't be the end of the world. I support teachers' rights to take some action. I know how hard they work and the vast amount of changes that are being put upon them."
A dad from the school, who didn't want to be named, said: "I'm glad they're taking this action, rather than going all out and striking first. It's not ideal, but they have to get their point across somehow."
The action includes teachers working their scheduled hours only, and being given time in their rota to plan lessons. It follows a one-day strike last November which closed hundreds of schools in Leicester and Leicestershire.
Comments
by LikeItaLot
Monday, September 24 2012, 6:48PM
“Been a teacher have you lamb? They are not above criticism by any means but your crass "real job" comment just shines a light on your ignorance”
by llamalamb
Monday, September 24 2012, 5:35PM
“Will they work to rule though all their long holidays too! Try doing a real job.”
by leicestermale
Monday, September 24 2012, 1:29PM
“Teachers welcome to the real world! The only people that will be getting final pensions soon will be our beloved servants the MP's”
by Eastonian
Monday, September 24 2012, 1:19PM
“Does this "work to rule" mean that the children will start to be educated?!!”
by Bob491
Monday, September 24 2012, 1:14PM
“And a lowly 46th in the global education spending table (as a % of GDP), with yet more cuts on the way!”
by garyb2011
Monday, September 24 2012, 1:01PM
“The UK is 26th in the gobal literacy tables”
by Bob491
Monday, September 24 2012, 11:54AM
“CGLee, are you absolutely sure this Con government can't reduce your pension?
We know what this government thinks of the un-rich, especially public servants who in general are unselfishly working for the benefit of others. Just read what Andrew Mitchell the Con Chief Whip and a Cabinet Minister said to the police guarding Downing Street, then consider the lack of any suitable action our dishonest PM Cameron is taking over the issue.
Yet only last year a teenager was imprisoned for swearing at the police, which no doubt delighted the Cons.
It's one hostile rule for the un-rich, but no rules for the over wealthy!
I support the teachers who do a great job despite the constant ridicule from right wing Cons.”
by CGLee
Monday, September 24 2012, 9:51AM
“I am sometimes critical of teachers taking industrial action, but, on this occasion I have to say that I don't blame them.
This government is mounting an all-out attack on public servants; teachers, police, armed services and NHS employees. Police and armed services personnel cannot take industrial action but other public servants can.
As a retired police officer who is in the fortunate position of being in receipt of a pension which cannot be touched I am alarmed and disgusted at the way in which the present public servants re being treated.”