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Monday 13 April 2009

NUTs

After a long bank holiday weekend I should be relaxed, chilled, at peace with the world.  Then I see this from the National Union of Teachers Annual Conference.

OK lets put this in context, teachers do a great job, they are unsupported by many parents, left to be the sole guardians of right and wrong for many children and often put in excess hours to try and provide a quality education for children who would otherwise suffer.  But this government has done more for education than any in recent memory and the levels of investment have significantly improved anyone who disagrees clearly wasn't in schools during the Thatcher years.....

The starting salary for a teacher is £20,627 whilst the average salary for a graduate is £24,048.  But this doesn't tell the complete story, teachers of course get a fantastic final salary pension and around 15 weeks holiday, not to mention excellent sickness, maternity and paternity benefits and above average job security.  The latter figure predominantly reflects larger corporate employers as well and so isn't entirely reflective.

But a 10% increase?  Are they serious?  Do they not look out the window at the wider economy and see what is going on out there, the people losing their jobs, many of whom are paid less than £20,627 who have little or no pension provision, statutory minimum holidays and work 40 plus hours a week.  This sort of story just makes teachers and the Unions look like greedy, narrow minded idiots with little or no sense of the wider economic environment.  It makes my blood boil.

Also interesting to see them quoting the CPI (Consumer Prices Index) as the reason for needing this increase - it currently stands at 3.2%.  I always thought the Unions' preferred measure was the RPI (Retail Prices Index) I'm sure that I have been told this time and time again over the years and in many negotiations.  What is RPI at the moment?  Oh yes.....0%


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Amen! I get so tired of the, "But teachers are underpaid!" mantra. If you want to make more money, become an engineer. Or a cop. Or a pilot.

Oh? You can't do these things? Then shut up and enjoy your short workday and summers off while the engineers are on the phone at midnight with their conference calls to India.