The force of argument, not the argument of force

Today (Thursday, June 27) members of two teacher unions in the North West of England are due to go on strike. While my union, Voice, respects the right of others to take industrial action, and shares their concerns about pay, conditions and the government’s education policies, our members do not strike.

Such strikes miss the target. They fail to have an impact on those responsible for the disputed policies – ministers and the government. Instead, they cause inconvenience for pupils, parents and non-striking colleagues, damaging pupils’ education and staffroom colleagues’ working relationships.

Those who advocate strike action claim that there is “no alternative” because “everything else” has failed. But do they really think that Michael Gove, of all people, will suddenly agree to union demands because of strikes? A man who wears votes of no confidence as a badge of honour, like a rebellious teenager with an ASBO, and dismisses critics as “enemies”, thrives on such disputes.