bridge too far

Maybe it depends on the area then. I know for sure that my SiL's school TT days and holidays are published a year in advance. I check this because I don't have to be a childminder when he's on leave (but obviously I do when he's on TT). Another point - recently he was in charge of a group of children on a week's field trip in the holidays. So he gave up a week's leave to do that and, naturally, didn't get paid extra for it. Last year he was in charge of a group who went to France for a long weekend. In his own time again. He gave up a very well paid marketing job to train as a teacher because he worked with children with learning problems as part of his previous work. He loved it so much, he decided he wanted to be a teacher.

Barney - to clear up a couple of points. 1. Baker Days are planned a year in advance at least 2. The Heads and Governors have no say in this - it's up to the local education authority.

But the local councils publish the training days at the same time as they publish term dates - usually 12 months in advance. It's not like it's suddenly sprung on you (or your colleague). So parents have ample time to arrange childcare. Or are you suggesting that your 'man' shouldn't take leave?

Fair point. I didn't read the '****ty' comment as a play on words. It's a credit to this forum that the usual play on words was absent.

So you're trained AT work, during working hours? QED

First strike in 127 years for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, I believe.

So, if you had to do some training to do with your job, you'd give up holiday to do so, would you?

Sorry - why on earth are you being even thicker than usual?

Once again, people making the erroneous assumption that teachers sit on their backsides during the holidays. Nothing could be further from the truth. Last week, my son-in-law got in from school at 6.30 (having been at the school at 7 am). He bathed his little son, ate his own dinner and then out came the laptop for two hours work before he went to bed. Last weekend, he had to miss out on a family occasion because he had reports to write. I'm shattered after looking after my grandchildren for two days. So I think I understand how he must be after looking after a class of 30 for a week. He'll have probably three weeks tops off this summer - one of which will be spent camping with his family.

I don't think anyone has been joking about the poor man who's died. The ? humour ? was about Tories in general.

Interesting to read the views of some people who will be striking on Thursday http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/26/case-studies-workers-explain-picket-lines?intcmp=239

Ah I didn't see that post. I wonder when we'll learn the judgement then. Maybe, as some suggested, it's tied in with Saggy's case and to annouce the verdict now would potentially prejudice his trial.

I did when he was alive but he's dead now Michael Foot had more integrity and intelligence in his little finger than any of the current lot. Appearance mattered not a jot to him, unlike some male politicians who, it is alleged, are dyeing their hair and covering up bald spots (no names, no pack drill)

Could it be that the judge is now deliberating?

What on earth do you mean by that? Union membership is not compulsory these days.

Your backside must be sore with all the drivel coming out of it. I don't know if the poll was like the Daily Echo one - I don't get the Echo up here. Please let my son-in-law know how to achieve all this time off you talk about because he's looking quite grey at the moment with the stress and long hours he puts in.

Well, in the post of mine that you quoted, I gave an example of just one multi-national company not paying it's due taxes. There are loads more - Top Shop, Barclays, Tescos to name but a few. But the public sector had already accepted in principle the idea of larger contributions / final salary schemes being scrapped for average salary schemes. The teachers were in constructive negotiation with the government about how best to achieve savings - until the Chief Secretary to the Treasury put his big yellow foot in it by saying it was a 'done deed'. Any wonder the teachers' unions were angry? That's not how to negotiate and shows just how naive this coalition is.

Our local Oxfordshire paper ran a poll last week (nice, middle class area). The vote was overwhelmingly in support of the teachers.

^^^ this The Local Government scheme is actually in credit and was even more in credit until the government took something like £5million out of it.

There ARE loads of real alternatives. 20/20 talked about Vodaphone - get them to pay their due taxes for a start. Get rid of the bankers' bonuses. The public sector workers didn't get us into this mess - why should they (and you and me) pay for the mess?

We're very lucky in that our High Street isn't. Lots of independents and specialist shops. But we are on the cusp on the Cotswolds so I guess the tourists keep it going (and the news camera crews today )

With lots of them you can't tell if they're dead or alive TBH

You understand my confusion Sorry!

No - HTH

Here's a more in-depth article about him http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/26/tory-christopher-shale-dead-glastonbury