…let’s call him Paul. He’s an NQT and teaches PE (no, really). Paul couldn’t come to the meeting tonight but he came along to see me before. He’s never been on any sort of strike before and certainly does not see himself as militant. He’s reluctant to go on strike as he’s saving up money to get married and for a deposit for a mortgage. He knows that a day off strike will cost him less than the planned increase in pension contributions but he’s inclined to believe that the government will get its way no matter what he does. He is certain that he couldn’t sit in school on the day of the strike knowing that his mates in the department who have kids are out on strike so he wanted me to know that he definitely will be on strike.
Emily on the other hand, despite her youth is an old school left-wing trade unionist – even down to the Scouse accent. She’s on a temporary contract (maternity cover) and the woman that she’s covering for returns to work in July. Emily will not be getting any pay over the summer( that always seems so unfair) and despite looking has not yet found work as a teacher in September. Nobody could expect Emily to sacrifice a day’s salary in these circumstances but she is not prepared to contemplate not going on strike -”I couldn’t live with myself” she says.
I’m lucky to work alongside such inspirational people.
