I asked people in Birmingham if they support a teachers strike - and not everyone does

Teacher unions are balloting members over strike action this week - so BirminghamWorld Richard Gullick took to the city streets to guage public opinion
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Strike action across the public sector over these past months has seen major disruptions across the whole country. This week balloting closes by major education unions to determine whether to hold a teachers strike.

The three major unions currently balloting are demanding a pay rise which at the least matches the rate of inflation. This was a response to a 5% pay award unveiled by the government last summer deemed inadequate by unions. I’m here on the streets of Birmingham to find out if the people here support teachers striking. And what do Brummies think should be done to avoid a teachers strike?

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Tim says: “No, I don’t think I would support it. You know that they work Monday to Friday and get 13 weeks of holiday a year. I’d love to have 13 weeks holiday and work Monday to Friday.

“The salary isn’t fantastic, but whose salaries are? And I think, to be quite honest, I know they have to do markings and things at home and stuff like that.

“But you know, they’re working nine to four maximum, Monday to Friday with 13 weeks holiday, I think it’s quite a nice little job to be honest. So no, I wouldn’t support teacher strike - some strikes that are going on at the moment, I think are good. But I certainly wouldn’t support teacher strike now.”

Mary in Birmingham gives her views on whether teachers should strikeMary in Birmingham gives her views on whether teachers should strike
Mary in Birmingham gives her views on whether teachers should strike

Mary says: “I do - especially with the cost of living going up. And it’s the same for the nurses as well. You know, they’re really struggling. Give us the money back from the MPs and the government you know - they’re rolling in, people are working hard.

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“Nurses are working hard and their teachers are. So yes I do agree with the strike. You know, it disrupts everything but you’ve got to do that to try and, you know, shout out your beliefs and that.”

Tim says: “I think everybody at the moment’s just got to cut the cloth accordingly There isn’t this magic money pot at the end of the rainbow.”

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