Fair's Fair

I've just had an email from the children's school (is there any other sort? Why did I say children's school? What a stupid expression. Adults schools are called colleges or universities)

Anyway the email warns that next Thursday due to strike action by the teachers my son will not be able to go to school. This is somewhat unfair, not least because his sister will be able to go to school because her teacher is in a different union. I don't get to choose which teacher teaches my son, and because of this he is now being denied an education.

Now don't get me wrong I don't deny the teachers the right to take industrial action. I just think we ought to get compensation. After all, under their rules if I take my child out of class for a day to go on holiday, or perhaps for a once in a life time event (which probably has more educational value than a day in school) then they impose a fine of £50. Per child. For each parent. So to take my son out of school for a day would cost me £100., as they consider this an "unauthorised absence." Unfairly, a single parent would only pay £50 for the same privilege, and a parent who simply lies and says their child is sick, and then goes to Florida with them pays nothing. How is that fair?

So, on this occasion, the teachers want to strike and deny my child a days education. Neither me or my wife have authorised this, so I think we are due £100. After all if I have to take a day off work to look after him unexpectedly, or pay for child care so I can work, there is an additional cost burden placed upon me. Fortunately I am day off midweek, so I can manage, but will I be recompensed by the school opening up on my next weekend off to look after my lad so I can enjoy my day off? I doubt it.

This comes on top of the teachers taking an extra day off a few weeks back for the Royal Wedding. This was because on the actual Royal Wedding Day they already had a day off because it was half term, and they felt cheated that everyone else got a Bank Holiday and they didn't. Well sorry teach, but the armed forces, Police, Fire and Rescue, Ambulance, Hospital staff and many others didn't get the day off either, but we didn't claim a day in lieu. But then, we all managed to get to work in the snow last winter too, whilst teachers stayed at home.......oh what short memories they have. Come to think of it most of us work 40 hour weeks with 30 days annual leave a year, whilst the teaching profession gets at least 65 days a year off, works Monday to Friday 9 until 3 with an hour for lunch, so that's a 5 hour day, or a 25 hour week. Yes I suppose they may have to turn up for the occasional parents evening, and there are books to mark after school, but hey, I often bring work home too. So, I've not a lot of sympathy for their cause.

Unless of course they are willing to div up £200 for each day they strike, then they will have my full support.