Late last week I received a letter from the primary school my child attends informing that, despite a planned national strike action, our teachers had independently decided to keep the facility open. I went reeling around the sidewalk in astonishment and horror, then exclaimed Fuck that! at an indecent decibel level.
Looking about for a comrade who might share my anger I found only complacent posh faces who claim no historic or current affiliation with trade unionism (until the day they find they’ve given away too much, and that realization will be selfish at best).
I marched away, muttering under my breath that no child of mine will cross a picket line, even if metaphorically.
Every morning I call in his absence with the stated reason On strike. Then we wander around the city doing educational, wholesome things while I lecture at length about collective action.
The headline in the Times catches exactly what is wrong with the public debate over this issue: “Striking teachers ‘feel no guilt’ over disruption”
Why should they feel guilt? Teachers deserve secure contracts and a reasonable standard of living. They look after our children!