Pay the ASTI or pay the Teaching Council?

mick kk

Just drained my bank account to pay TC. Am wondering about making savings in other areas - has anyone here left the union - about 300 per annum to be saved by doing this? It would pay the TC and leave a bit to reduce burden of pension levy and USC. Just wondering also that if there was a strike by ASTI, would you be expected to cross the picket if colleagues were out in the cold picketing?

Buachaillin Bo

It baffles me how the teaching faternity have accepted without question the Teaching Council and all it entails....or in reality doesn't entail

solerina

The teaching council has been mentioned quite a bit on boards and noone can figure out why we have it and why we have to pay every year to get absolutely nothing. The ASTI are a bit like that too...I dont want to be a member and I agree it would be great to save the 300 euro...however is something happens you need someone on your side so I will be staying in the union. On the passing the picket, people in my school were told to ring in sick the last time we were picketing and so didnt have to pass the picket

mrboswell

Neither - both seem to do absolutely nothing for new teachers and those who are yet to qualify.

Buachaillin Bo

Every teacher is, of course, free to decide whether they wish to be a member of a union or not...we are legally obliged to be members of our Teaching Council...well we're supposed to be.
Never liked how teachers were forced to join this marvellous organisation. Have heard the stories of threats of stopping of pay and registered letters to teacher's homes...what a start for an organisation which is supposed to act in our interest.

2011abc

Choices re Teaching Council

1 Put up and shut up(bend over...) ...We're soooo good at this -most likely choice by a mile

2 Try and get some 'genuine' TEACHERS ,(not flippin 5 or 10 year 'career' 'wonders' who are burnt out and have forgotten how hard it was as they pile us with more work...)to effect change on this monstrosity from within .And if you think its NOT a monstrosity consider this theyve already screwed us financially ,next is inservice training in our own time at our own expense and then they will come for the 'underperforming' teachers

3 We ALL(its has to be ALL as they are bullies and will make life hard for a minority who stop paying) stop paying them .Ive already paid up again this year .Oh by the way they have NO subjects listed under my 'qualifications'...rang them and they said theyd call me back in a few days ...not a word heard from them since weeks later...

evolving_doors

mick kk wrote: »

would you be expected to cross the picket if colleagues were out in the cold picketing?

i think on health and safety grounds your school shouldn't expect you to be on the premises if everyone else is on strike,, the usual gist for non union teachers is to write a letter to the school stating that they are willing and able to work on that day therefore their pay shouldn't be deducted as per their contract.. of course you could also opt to forego the days pay too..

Is it true that if a "non union" teacher gets in to legal strife they could in theory join the union ASAP and be covered straight away!!!! or is there a 'waiting period' like in health insurance policies???

Anyone know what the medical council does either?.. I think their main purpose is to fire/suspend/dismiss people..

I have a feeling your TC fees are probably to stock up on a warchest for future legal cases against teachers..defended by the Unions legal eagles of course...at least we'll keep the legal fraternity in bread and butter for a bit..

2011abc

Armelodie wrote: »

Anyone know what the medical council does either?.. I think their main purpose is to fire/suspend/dismiss people..

I have a feeling your TC fees are probably to stock up on a warchest for future legal cases against teachers..defended by the Unions legal eagles of course...at least we'll keep the legal fraternity in bread and butter for a bit..

I think this is a shockingly concise and succint sinister synopsis of the whole debacle.Wisest post here for a while !

Lord TSC

Here's a question. Since I've now not been able to find a job this year and prospects don't seem altogether hot for next year, can I choose not to pay the TC when they come knocking over the summer and then pay when I get a job? Or is it that I physically can't get a job unless I'm a member of the TC? Cause the way the country is, I worry I'll be pumping money into the TC for another few years before I end up actually finding a position in a school