Job Discussion Forums

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

http://www.efltu.org/
I stumbled across this site.
This is the intro on the homepage.

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

None.

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

As far as I can see there are 5 members !

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

DMB

You have been in TEFL for 13 years yet you have to ask that question.

expatben · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject:

dmb I myself am a member of EFLTU (I thought I posted the link). Yes, a union is a great idea. We have more than 5 members too.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Unfortunately, the'union' (it is not really a union) is only based in Germany. It is really just a voluntary association of EFL teachers in Germany, as far as I can discern.

expatben · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:42 am Post subject:

Not so! Not all the members are in Germany although yes the majourity of our members are. Take me for example, I am in Poland. I know of other members in countries from Turkey to the United States. Although are union is not strong enough yet, with more members we will grow stronger. Its better than nothing.

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

Fighting an honourable but losing battle.
In this game this is only one winner....the unscrupulous, deceitful and underpaying school owners.
I am totally expendable wherever i go and i know it.....because i can always be replaced..not necessarily by someone better experienced or with more skills to do the job but replaced nevertheless.
It's a scenario not too dissimilar to when i worked in the sales weeks at Harrods. Warm bodies are all thats required!!
Stiffs need not apply!

expatben · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:31 am Post subject:

Having been a victim of that myself (and really who hasn't?) I know what you mean however the ESL business if it really is going to be a business needs rules. EFLTU just wants to make sure the teachers get a hand in writing them.

Cdaniels · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:54 pm Post subject: EU

I'm thinking this may work better in the EU. As it is there seems to be a divide between English teachers who can work legally in the EU and those who can't. This presently works as an advantage for EU citizens and could be used as leverage within Europe, but not outside of it. Does the EFTLU address this difference? I can understand the need to recruit as many people as necessary now, but somewhere down the line won't European teachers see advantages that the rest won't?

darkside1 · Joined: 16 Feb 2005 Posts: 86 Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Would it not be more effective to join one of the already existing unions in the country you are working in as they will doubtless have much more muscle (and experience) when it comes to negotiating with the bosses?

An international group is fine for networking and comparing notes on efl salaries and conditions in different countries, but effective action still has to take place at the local level. In countries where unions are strong and are backed up by EU law you do in fact have a chance of making management comply with agreeents regarding pay, conditions, holidays etcetera. However, in some parts of the world that just isn't going to happen due to the local political and legal framework (or lack of one).

As a non- EU citizen there are ways and means that you can become legal if you make a commitment to working in a particular country and are not content to be used as cheap substitute labour.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

A handful of EFL teachers, living in the country with the strongest unions in the world, decide to turn their back on them and start their own gig in the hope that eventually they will have an international membership in double figures.

Ever heard of deserving what you get?

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

But Mr Jones....Garibaldi only started out with a handful of followers..and Jesus come to think of it!!
Look what they achieved!!

Maybe this organisation will build up members like salmon flowing down the stream to the mouth of the river.
Like ducks in regents Park swimming towards the bread hurled at them by young children.
Like Communist queues in the 1970's for bread and Lada cars.
Like people rushing to shake Sven Goran Ericcson by the neck after another brave England performance!
Like the pied piper of Hamlin it will be....

Oh joy....TEFL UNIONs......days in the sun, grandpa Bob sitting smoking his pipe with little Jonny on his knee, Buttercups and crocuses swaying in the breeze.Cows mooing, horses neighing, Antiques roadshow on the telly. Toasted bread and marmalade for tea, reading Enid Blyton books to toddlers, stroking old Rover by the fireplace...AAAHHHH what bliss..what Utopia.!!

Let's face it..the day a strong TEFL union is formed is the day Arthur Scargill becomes UK prime Minister, the day George Bush says something sensible, the day Kelly Osbourne learns how to sing, and the day I teach my 10 yr old students how to recite John Betjemen's entire pre-war collection of poetry unaided!!!

No chance!!!

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:13 am Post subject: Protests outside school gates

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

On my farm the cows and horses will make any sound i want them to!!!

neigh, low, whinny, moo, snort, cackle, bark, purr, growl, roar...and that's just the bantam c.o.c.k!