[etni] For the past week or so
- From: "David Graniewitz" <graniewitz@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'Etni'" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2007 01:37:26 +0200
For the past week or so, I have been waging a major battle with my
conscience, and the lines that I am about to write are the result of much
deliberation and observation.
Firstly, I must state that I supported wholeheartedly the strike when it
first started. I believed, as I still do, that the education system had
reached a point at which teachers had no choice but to make their voices
heard. And what better way to do so than by downing tools. Over three weeks
has passed since and I have begun to wonder if it is all worth it, if the
damage caused is going to be offset by whatever benefits we and our pupils
will reap in the end.
I have come to a decision; if the Labour Court issues injunctions against
us, I will go back to work. I signed a letter of intent to resign at a
demonstration a couple of weeks ago, but even then I was having second
thoughts. I think that I did so out of social pressure as everyone was
signing around me. Call me fickle, but I have seen a lot of herd-following
lately.
At the beginning of the strike I wrote an article, published in the
Jerusalem Post complaining that no one really cared about the work done by
secondary school teachers. Despite all the cars honking at us as we stand
brandishing our placards at major junctions around the country, I still
don't feel that Israeli society really gives much of a hoot about us. In
fact, we teachers seem to be in a bit of a pickle; if we take more drastic
action to get ourselves noticed as other pressure groups have done in the
past e.g. the handicapped, single mothers etc. we will get accused of
behaving in a way unsuitable for teachers. If we just stand around chanting
inane slogans, the media gets bored and we get pushed off the news by
stories about the Prime Minister's prostate gland or the death of an
entertainer.
As you may have guessed, I have become quite disillusioned with the strike.
This disillusionment has been fortified by the growing realisation that our
union has basically failed in its organisation and in getting our message
across. Consider the following points, if you will:
* The Union sent us out on strike without any plans for
demonstrations or protests. The various demonstrations have come about as a
result of the organisation of groups of teachers themselves without any
initiative being taken by the Irgun. A whole week went past without any
attempt to reach the media.
* There is no strike fund. How long Irgun members will be able to
carry on without a salary is anyone's guess.
* There are union members who are continuing to work throughout the
strike. This is especially true in the religious sector. I suggested setting
up protests in front of schools that were defying the strike. As a teacher
in a religious school, I felt that this was the thing to do. We had to reach
teachers who were working and appeal to their consciences. Although many
people agreed with me this suggestion was turned down for various reasons by
the organizers of the demonstrations.
* The union itself has done nothing to approach strike-breakers and
to explain to them the consequences of their actions. It has the means to
sanction strike-breakers, but this doesn't seem to be on its list of
priorities.
* Much of the support for the strike is coming from teachers who are
continuing to get paid during the strike even though they are not working
(or are working only nominally or minimally.) I am referring to members of
the Histadrut or non-affiliated teachers who work in schools which are not
operating because of the strike. These people are having their cake and
eating it. In spite of the disgruntlement felt by many Histadrut members
because of the agreement signed with the government, we have not witnessed a
mass desertion of that union's ranks and a swelling of our own. I don't know
how many of these people there are but I have personally told a few
Histadrut members at demonstrations that if they continue to receive their
salaries they are not supporting our struggle, no matter how loud they shout
and how many banners they wave.
My fear is that, taking all these points into account, we might witness a
scenario wherein striking Irgun teachers, especially the older ones, will
feel hesitant about supporting the continuation of the strike because of
financial reasons. The strike however will continue because of the support
given by teachers who are continuing to get paid. This will be a blatantly
unfair situation.
I think that the time has come when we must ask ourselves how long we are
prepared to strike and at what cost. I hate to be too cynical but I think
that this strike has taken on a dynamic of its own and there might just be a
few people with vested interests in keeping it going for as long as
possible.
I am awaiting the slings and arrows that will no doubt be coming my way. I
just can't help feeling that I am betraying my calling with each passing day
of the strike.
Shavua Tov
David
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