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AS you are no doubt aware teachers are striking on Wednesday, due to pension changes. I have received a letter to say that my son's year is still expected to attend school, as supply teachers will be available to teach them. The problem I have is that I fully support the teachers and do not want my son to cross a picket line to enter school. Does anyone know what will happen if I keep him off, will I be fined for an unauthorised absence?
He will be completing school work at home, so staying off will not impact on his education.

Hi, since the school will be open your sons absence will be classed as unauthorised. I would hope that the teachers will conduct their actions so as not to put their pupils in a position of having to cross a picket line. Their complaint is with the government not their students. Best wishes, Skylarc

Thanks Skylarc, the school is normally closed to all pupils for strikes and the picket line is always across the gates. I will have to phone in sick for him, as I am not risking a fine, and there is no way he will go across a picket line.

I thought the teachers (and supporters) were off to a March and Rally in Liverpool.

Thanks had not heard about the march in Liverpool, I will check that out.

While the rest of the kids go to school, regardless of the strike and will welcome the change to supply teachers..
Do you take you kid out of school on their birthday?.

No you dont,but some take there kids on holiday in the school term.You talking a week or two?

It was a direct question to donja457, as it seems everyone else can send their kids to school, but them.

There will be one year group in school on Wednesday being taught by supply teachers. I am sure that the supply teachers are more than capable of doing their job well. I do not have an issue with them, my issue is I do not want my son to cross a picket line.
I feel very strongly that as parents we should be supporting teachers in this fight, or there is a real risk that some excellent teachers will leave the profession. Which will have a serious affect on educational standards.
Also I do not keep my children off school for birthdays or holidays. They have to be at deaths door to get a day off sick, and have excellent attendance records.

I just cant get it into my head that you think keeping your kid from going in will make any difference. No matter how strong you feel, your actions will not affect the outcome.

GREAT,good reply i do agree with this.Parents should be in full support of this work with the schools.

ZipperClub, I am sure keeping one child off will not make a great deal of difference, but I am not willing to appear to condone the actions of the government by allowing my child to cross that line. Unfortunately, most of the children in his year group will be in school that day, and a high majority of parents will not support this action, as the long term problems these changes could create are not being publicised.

Important information re strike day: Wed 26th March

Meet Hamilton Square 9:30am to travel to Liverpool
Assemble: Pier Head at 10.00am
Move off: 10.30am
Route: Pier Head/Mann Island
James Street
Derby Square
Lord Street
Left into North John Street
Right into Victoria Street
Right into Sir Thomas Street
Left into Whitechapel
Right into St John's Lane
Left into Lime Street
Arrive St George's Plateau 11.30-11.45
12.00 Noon- 1.30pm
LINER HOTEL- Lord Nelson Street

Dear colleague

We are now only a few days away from our 26 March strike and I am writing to encourage you to take strike action and to attend a march or rally on the day. Events are taking place all around England and Wales – you can find details here. The page is updated regularly so please check back before strike day to make sure you’ve got all the information you need.


Reasons to strike - increasing hours and declining pay
Go to www.teachers.org.uk/protect-teachers to see 'Increasing hours versus declining pay' – our graphical description of how teachers are working more for less - just one more compelling reason to strike on 26 March. Check the page for more reasons to strike over the next few days.

As you know Michael Gove could have avoided our strike if he had been willing to negotiate seriously on the issues that matter to teachers. Unfortunately, he has not done so. At the last talks meeting on 19 March he squandered the last chance he had to avoid the strike. You can read our report of the talks here

Encourage colleagues to join the NUT
Teachers who are not in a union can still join the NUT and take part in our 26 March strike. If they join up to or on 26 March, they will be legally covered to take part in the strike. First-time members who join now on direct debit will pay nothing until 2015.

Yours sincerely

christine blower

Donja I agree with you 100% if everyone thought the same the govt would have to listem, those who think well it won't change anything have to have a think about all the benefits they get in work due to the hard work from the Unions and its memebers over the years.
Thankfully my daughters teacher is on strike and she won't be going in, the first thing she asked me was can we go on the Picket line.Class.