This morning’s correspondents turn their attention to teachers caught up in the travel chaos, a plea to support CHAS and the Forth Energy plan for Dundee waterfront.
Teachers could play hard ball over docked pay Sir,-Your article (April 21) that teachers may have pay docked if they have been unfortunate enough to be caught up in the travel chaos caused by the volcanic eruption raises an interesting scenario.
My wife teaches and regularly works late into the night and most weekends preparing and marking work.
During holiday periods, she also works. In fact, research by the Institute of Fiscal Studies not so long ago reckoned because of the extra work put in by staff they did not actually begin to earn for themselves until March each year.
Therefore, if the councils really want to play hard ball, then perhaps teachers should do likewise.
Do councils really forget the reason we lost so much extra-curricular activity in schools in the 80s?
The then government sought to impose strict working hours on staff. The result was staff stuck to this diktat and only worked their hours.
This showed up the fact teachers did a great deal of extra work.
It also affected exams as class preparation was not carried out on time.
My brother, who is now retired, taught at the time. A teacher less militant you could not meet but who was so angered by the Government he took action also.
Teachers on the whole are not militant but only want the best for their students.
Councils prey on this and, at times, staff become a doormat.
Just as with most other public sector workers, the old line, people will only suffer, is bleated out time and again.
John Montgomery.24 March Crescent,Cellardyke.
School staff not special case
Sir,-It is about time teachers were treated the same as the rest of the public workforce.
Yes, they do not have flexible working but I think the number of holidays and public holidays they get more than makes up for that.
Therefore, in the current economic climate, those stranded should have to take unpaid leave.
They are lucky they can afford to go abroad on holiday.
Catherine Henderson.2 Walker Street,Kirkcaldy.
About time we funded CHAS
Sir,-An enlightening and humbling visit to CHAS at Kinross with others from Cupar Probus Club left us with nothing but admiration for the work of the people who help make the harrowing experience of the latter stages of cancer in children, for both the patients and their relatives, less stressful than it might be.
Then the question was asked by one of our members, “Do you receive, for instance, a Lottery grant?”
It appears not and, to me, that is a disgrace.
We read about Lottery money being shovelled out to organisations that mean nothing to 99% of the population, yet here is a more than worthwhile one which should be high on the list of anyone with money to award being ignored.
Apart from the Lottery, it might well be a case for a Government grant and, with an election imminent, would that possibility not be a question to ask all candidates?
Currently the two CHAS hospices in Scotland are apparently funded by the people of Scotland through charitable donations and they cost £5 million a year in running costs.
And, as a final point, at a time when hospital cleaning is high on the agenda, I cannot recall seeing cleaner premises than those at Kinross.
A lesson there somewhere?
Ian Wheeler.Springfield,Cupar.
Biomass plant emission fears
Sir,-I am shocked and dismayed at Forth Energy’s intention to build a huge biomass and waste-burning plant at Dundee harbour.
The site is close to the city centre and Broughty Ferry.
After all the lectures from the government about the danger of global warming and the good progress that has been made to improve air quality in urban Scotland, such money-making by Forth Energy is truly depressing.
The incinerator may emit pollution into the atmosphere and has the potential to aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
I sincerely hope that the people of Dundee and Broughty Ferry will stand their ground and demand that this proposal is scrapped.
Robert Addison.11 Forthill Place,Broughty Ferry.
Explore use of tidal power
Sir,-As residents of West Ferry for over 40 years, my husband and I are appalled and worried by the proposal of Forth Energy to erect wind turbines at Stannergate, Dundee.
In addition, we are concerned about the proposed biomass plant close by.
The turbines will be 416 feet high and the biomass chimney 416 feet. Over the years, Dundee City Council has improved the approaches to the city along ambassador routes and has cleaned up the Grassie Beach.
The waterfront project is a major scheme that will generate additional improvements.
Tourists coming to Dundee from the directions of St Andrews, Perth, Forfar and Arbroath have long admired wonderful views of the Law and the Tay estuary. This view would be compromised by these three structures dominating the skyline.
Also worrying are possible problems with wind turbines creating flicker and noise and fears that electromagnetic fields have adverse effects on the human body. The emissions from the biomass chimney may lead to possible health risks.
Perhaps harnessing wave and tidal power should be explored.
Joy Thomas.17 Seaforth Road,Broughty Ferry.