Examinator is at it again. Notice he's the ony one who has any knowledge, everyone else is uninformed, & ranting.

For hevens sake mate, go out into the yard, & empty some of the grass out of your stuffed shirt.

I have been a committee nember of one or another P&C for 15 years.

My wife worked in one school, [in, not for] for 17 years.

You should sell copies of your rose coloured glasses mate, because you sure aint seen nuthing at our schools. If we all wore copies we might believe you.

Oh, my eldest is a HOD, [at 27] at a large high school too, before you tell me I could not have your insight. It also means I have some idea of your daughters pay packet, so stop crying about her work load.

Uniformed? maybe by far the majority work 38 or 36 hour weeks not 40.
Teachers are aware of their rights and their unions directions, they have the right to disagree any time.
And yes they in big number s take work home I truly think uniformed is a good description for some comments here.

My ex is a teacher. I have shared accommodation with teachers. I have witnessed teachers' parties. I have seen the level of care & responsibility entrusted to & then disregarded by teachers. I have witnessed the callous exploitation of generous conditions afforded to teachers. I have witnessed the me,me,me attitudes etc.etc. Yes, I also met true teachers who cared but could do nothing because the majority to-union-clinging mere repeaters of information would not allow the true teachers to succeed. I sincerely think that teachers do not need more pay, what they need is a far greater dose of a sense of caring & responsibility. But to be fair to them the whole of the public service now has that mentality. How often do we hear of "we're not allowed to discipline disruptive children". Well, if you really want to why not strike for that cause. If you do I'll change my opinion of you.

Burbs And others
I think you're selectively reading my comments.

I said that perhaps now isn't the best time for a campaign for pay rises.

I did say that there were 'bludgers' in every industry. But to declare ALL teachers the same as the worst case scenario is simply rank prejudice.

Hasbeen I can't be held responsible for your usually ill informed prejudices. Do I point out that at the time of my posting you hadn't and still haven't offered any comment only after the fact ad homimem attack.

Belly, I would be just as vehement in my defence of road workers etc. There are some that are skives and the system is sometime skewed but all? I think not.

Dwg so by your reasoning anybody that makes more than you is greedy hmmm well comrade we're in a capitalist environment.

Burbs you have almost a masters degree in what? You chose the industry not the teachers so why blame them.

BTW show me where the teachers claimed to be the only ones in the 'boat'? That's your assumption. Only you know you motivation for that wild assumption. I merely advocated that IMO they were deserving...I didn't say only them. another rash assumption.

Clearly you are either anti union or one of the minority that doesn't think in terms of self interest. If the latter I genuinely congratulate you. You putting in the extra effort to get an extra qualification without the expectation of improved rewards is indeed admirable.

In reality my objection was the alacrity with which some on this site jump to stereotyping and generalised assumptions. Most of which can't be substantiated with real facts. Generalisations are fine for broad policy directions but tend to insult individuals. I'll continue to defend the individual. Might I suggest that had you attacked the union or the issue and not ALL teachers. Then your burst wouldn't have been so offensive to the hard working teachers

Hang on examinator I found nothing wrong with your posts here I rarely do.
The naked attempt to put down ex partners and unions is here for all to see.
Yes teachers fed is strong, in fact often extremist in my view.
And it is not time for big wage rises.
But the unbalanced kick them in the guts view is no answer.
Fact is, as is often the case best result for every one may well be some place near the middle.
My advice?
For what it is worth one year wage deals give a chance to see how the economy is going.
Remember as a trade unionist without a reverse gear I do believe in a fair days pay for a fair days work.
And examinator I would be happy for you to represent me I see understanding fairness and balance in you.

Arn't they on $80 grand a year already!

Perhaps they should all do a stint at the local hospital with the nurses and doctors so they can see what stress realy is.

These guys don't have 'little lunch', 'big lunch', then down tools once the afternoon bell rings.

Sure there are some really genuinely great teachers who's dedication to their work is second to none, but they are dragged down by the ones who's only mission in life is to climb the ladder to the top, even if the kids are just something one must deal with while achieving their goal.

Be happy with your $80K for a while, otherwise, we may face the prospect of 'Indian' being our second language. They would jump at $80K a year.