Guest Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 Right round the country, Australian Education Union Presidents or Gen-Secs (the title varies from state to state) earn about the same as a Principal of a fairly large school, plus a car. I think that's absolutely reasonable as we are the responsible officer for the organisation, working with top bureaucrats and politicians, and the public media spokesperson. I would not want to be doing all that on an unpromoted teachers' pay. I agree with you. I think the "teachers pay" pledge by one of our candidates is a little gimmicky to say the least. The NUT here is the largest and most influential teaching union with around 42 percent of all qualified teachers being members. It needs an active and well resourced and rewarded General Secretary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek McMillan Posted June 29, 2004 Author Share Posted June 29, 2004 Steve Sinnott was elected Martin got 6482 first preference votes http://wsta.tripod.com/results.htm has the full results. Thanks to all those who voted for Martin. Watch what Steve Sinnott does now he has the job. Have a nice day Derek McMillan http://socialistteachers.tripod.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek McMillan Posted June 29, 2004 Author Share Posted June 29, 2004 (edited) I agree with you. I think the "teachers pay" pledge by one of our candidates is a little gimmicky to say the least. Is it true that the best generals always ate the same rations as the rank and file so that they would know what it was like for them and what they could reasonably expect? A few comments I have received from supporters (all outside the Socialist Party) tonight: Well done martin a smashing vote if we had had sinnotts money and machinery you would not only have won but the turnout would have been far far greater. Need to gather breath now to deal with the i*** ! (comment edited in case children see your emails!) ... Sorry you didn't win. The campaign was still worth the effort . ... Well done Martin from all at Geoffrey Chaucer school, Southwark. A great first effort! ... Well done for all those votes - you must not give up - maybe next time,anyway there is always a place on the executive to be won and DGS?? That is going to be interesting. But how depressing to have an arrogant and aggressive person as G.S ... Sorry you did not get in this time. maybe you are still a bit on the young side!!!! So you can have another go when the time comes around again. Cheers x ... Understand that you will not be moving to work in central London. Good result considering what the other candidate on the left said and how long he has been around. ... Martin Edited June 30, 2004 by derekmcmillan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean Walker Posted June 30, 2004 Share Posted June 30, 2004 It may well be true that generals ate the same food as soldiers, but their pay was still a hell of a lot better. I have done the hard yards for 30 years in the classroom, and therefore know what it's like - but I don't see why I should be then paid the same salary for doing a much harder and more responsible job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 It may well be true that generals ate the same food as soldiers, but their pay was still a hell of a lot better. I have done the hard yards for 30 years in the classroom, and therefore know what it's like - but I don't see why I should be then paid the same salary for doing a much harder and more responsible job. I agree Jay. Surely even Derek will agree that Martin's pledge to distribute his salary amongst the poor was little more than a gimmicky soundbite. On the subject of the recent election - I am very disturbed by the result and predict difficult times ahead for the NUT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean Walker Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 Can you give me a quick summary of what you see as the problems ahead for NUT under their new leader - as a "foreigner" I'm interested to know something about his policies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek McMillan Posted July 3, 2004 Author Share Posted July 3, 2004 Martin's pledge to distribute his salary amongst the poor was little more than a gimmicky soundbite. When I raised this idea some years ago (it is by no means a new one - Terry Field was an MP on a worker's salary) it struck a chord among the ordinary members but struck a nerve with the careerists. There were Labour MPs who hated Terry Field for no other reason. One wonders why it bothers them so much. Secondly I would be interested to know what problems the NUT is going to have in the future as I left my crystal ball in the car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 Derek, Am I to assume that anyone willing and capable of taking on a highly responsible job and expect adequate payment for such a job is to be damned by you with the throw away line "careerist"? I can almost here you spit after you say it I have been teaching for 15 years and have a different level of responsibility than when I started. I also work longer hours than most classroom teachers. For this I get paid a little more than some of them. I know of few people who object to this Jay, "Mystic McMillan" may be better placed to help us with your request for insight into the recent political machinations withing the British NUT. I just wanted GS independent of overtly political cliques and interests. It is a crucial time for the union with the workload issue entirely unresolved amongst many other crucial issues. I fear we may have elected a Blairite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek McMillan Posted July 3, 2004 Author Share Posted July 3, 2004 It is a crucial time for the union with the workload issue entirely unresolved amongst many other crucial issues. I fear we may have elected a Blairite Well I think you are right. Fortunately in a democratic organisation there is no all-powerful leader. The General Secretary is supposed to be a servant as well as a leader Derek McMillan http://socialistteachers.tripod.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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