As I collected my children from their primary school this afternoon my little boy handed me a letter signed by the Headteacher. For the record, my first born is a rambunctious ‘experienced’ Year 1 pupil whilst his little sister just started Reception in the same school. The letter was a reminder to parents/carers that the UK National Union of Teachers, the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers were indeed committed to a one day strike on the 17th of October 2013. The Headteacher wanted parents to know which classes would be closed and which would remain open. She promised to send out another note closer to that date so that Parents would not be taken unawares. She commiserated with parents/carers over the hardship they would face and wished us well.
A wry smile crept into my face as I thought about how the strike phenomenon in education had followed me thousands of miles from my days as a 1995 freshman at Nsukka and now to my kids in primary school in the United Kingdom in 2013. One day strike. Indeed. Thinking along these lines, I recalled other strike actions by different groups of workers in the developed western world. Here in the UK strikes by the TfL unions who operate the mass transit rail and tube lines (the Lifeblood of the City) are commonplace. Ever so often the British Airways flight attendants remind us that they exist, and will gladly keep their high heels firmly planted on the ground in order to drive home their grievances. The economic changes in Greece, Spain, Italy, France and Portugal have equally pitted workers from these developed countries against their governments. And make no mistake about it: it has always been over their conditions of service.. yes, its been about the money. I also recall the ‘shameful’ strike by the heavy duty truck drivers in Paris at the eve of the France 1998 World Cup.
As the ongoing stalemate between ASUU and the Government draws into its fourth month it becomes obvious that the government is on the offensive in the court of public opinion. The Medics have followed suit, the Polytechnic dons have capped their pens and the Government is fast transforming into a victim. Talk of Billions of naira already released filter out, how the lecturers are overly greedy and not willing to budge. As these two behemoths tussle, parents bear the brunt of the situation, with most ready to agree with the governments rhetoric on ASUU’s intransigence. Striking workers are now progressively being cast as the villains.. unpatriotic boogeymen who are hell bent on destabilizing the nation. Many public commentators often question why public sector workers in these critical areas cannot seek other ways to drive home their demands.
Yes, other ways. Like the option being adopted by the teachers in Britain. One day Strike. Indeed. I laugh. Newtons Third law of motion has always proved true that every action will be met by an equal and opposite reaction. Here in the UK, as in other parts of the developed Western World, human dignity has a high premium. The leadership of these nations realize that whatever situation that causes a rational adult to vote to down his tools at the consequence of a very vital job deserves all the seriousness of a speedy and detailed response. These governments acknowledge that they do not necessarily have all the right answers. They accelerate the process of resolution with a measure of sincerity and if it becomes obvious that both sides wouldn’t meet, the agents of the government involved would go as far as to throw in the towel and quit. Armed with this knowledge, the workers also use strikes as a last option: a statement and not a punitive move. They realize that a defined-period strike will surely elicit the required response. No more, no less. In our case, the level of obstinate unionism we have with us has just mirrored the level of insincerity and levity of our government at all levels in genuinely addressing needs of workers at all levels and from all areas. Education, Health, Aviation sectors workers, Power & Energy, Oil & Gas, Emergency Services etc. Comparing us to these countries is indeed where the lack of patriotism squarely rests.
As we rode the bus back home, my son started using the aforementioned letter to display his reading skills to his sibling. After stumbling through, he roused me out of my reverie with a singular question: Daddy, what is Strike? My wry smile returned. Dear reader, please don’t ask me how I explained ‘Strike’ to a 5 year old.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24268852
People gather for rally in Birmingham Strike rallies are being held in Sheffield, Birmingham and Cambridge by members of the two biggest teaching unions, the NUT and NASUWT
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