Showing posts with label UTLA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UTLA. Show all posts
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Locke to fly flag with a Green Dot?
In a 5-2 vote, the LAUSD's BOE voted to allow Locke to bring it's charter petition in front of the board. It's not a Green Dot outpost, but soon could be. Interestingly enough, the LA BOE uses ward type representation, rather than at-large which is what I think is better.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Green Dots in LA.
I've been reading up a bit about the craziness in LA regarding Green Dot charters.
Reader's Digest Version: GD wanted to open 8 new schools in the Watts area, had to ask permission of the school board to do so. Green Dot's academics are sound, as are their finances; these are the two benchmarks the school must meet in order to be granted permission to open. Heck, the schools are even unionized-- not with UTLA, but through CTA. (I'd love to see a copy of the contract.) LAUSD SB voted no, 3 to 3 (one member abstained 'cause he worked for Green Dot). The criticism that's being leveled at the three nay-sayers is that they are supported by UTLA, and are even in their pockets-- which is why they voted no. The three no-voters were blasted by the LAT in an editorial a few days ago.
My take?
Well, it's easy to comment on a situation that isn't happening in your school district. It's easy to say, well the board should have done this, and the union shouldn't do this, nor should these people do this. So I enter into this post understanding that I could say the way things should be; but then I'd say something completely different if it came to my neck of the woods. It's not, so here goes.
The main reason that unions exist is for job protection of the members; this includes maintaining and enhancing the current salary, benefits and working conditions of the rank and file. Union leadership that failed to protect the jobs of its current members would quickly look around to see few, if any supporters and lose the next election, if a recall election were unable to be called due to the bylaws.
Very few substantive, lasting things in the edu-world these days are done without the involvement of someones legislature; therefore unions have transformed from organizing animals in the 60's and 70's to become political animals; therefore, unions understand the importance of organizing politically, supporting and funding candidates that agree with and support the issues that are important to them.
Having said that, let me analyze the Green Dot "event" that happened in LAUSD.
Quite simply put, whether you like it or not, UTLA (and its political support system) worked as it should have.
Charter schools = loss of money for public ed.
Loss of money for public ed= loss of jobs of teachers.
Loss of jobs of teachers= bad thing for the union (action must be taken).
Action needing to be taken / Sympathetic LAUSD School Board Members = Zero Green Dot Schools
When individual citizens elect or unseat SB members based on their interests, it's called democracy. When unions (democratic organizations, mind you) help elect or unseat SB members based on the issues that are important to them and they actually represent you, it's called bribery, "buying a school board member" or "being in the union's pocket".
Reader's Digest Version: GD wanted to open 8 new schools in the Watts area, had to ask permission of the school board to do so. Green Dot's academics are sound, as are their finances; these are the two benchmarks the school must meet in order to be granted permission to open. Heck, the schools are even unionized-- not with UTLA, but through CTA. (I'd love to see a copy of the contract.) LAUSD SB voted no, 3 to 3 (one member abstained 'cause he worked for Green Dot). The criticism that's being leveled at the three nay-sayers is that they are supported by UTLA, and are even in their pockets-- which is why they voted no. The three no-voters were blasted by the LAT in an editorial a few days ago.
My take?
Well, it's easy to comment on a situation that isn't happening in your school district. It's easy to say, well the board should have done this, and the union shouldn't do this, nor should these people do this. So I enter into this post understanding that I could say the way things should be; but then I'd say something completely different if it came to my neck of the woods. It's not, so here goes.
The main reason that unions exist is for job protection of the members; this includes maintaining and enhancing the current salary, benefits and working conditions of the rank and file. Union leadership that failed to protect the jobs of its current members would quickly look around to see few, if any supporters and lose the next election, if a recall election were unable to be called due to the bylaws.
Very few substantive, lasting things in the edu-world these days are done without the involvement of someones legislature; therefore unions have transformed from organizing animals in the 60's and 70's to become political animals; therefore, unions understand the importance of organizing politically, supporting and funding candidates that agree with and support the issues that are important to them.
Having said that, let me analyze the Green Dot "event" that happened in LAUSD.
Quite simply put, whether you like it or not, UTLA (and its political support system) worked as it should have.
Charter schools = loss of money for public ed.
Loss of money for public ed= loss of jobs of teachers.
Loss of jobs of teachers= bad thing for the union (action must be taken).
Action needing to be taken / Sympathetic LAUSD School Board Members = Zero Green Dot Schools
When individual citizens elect or unseat SB members based on their interests, it's called democracy. When unions (democratic organizations, mind you) help elect or unseat SB members based on the issues that are important to them and they actually represent you, it's called bribery, "buying a school board member" or "being in the union's pocket".
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Architects of the UTLA victory...
This is a great LA times piece about Joel Jordan and Joshua Pechthalt, behind the scenes UTLA movers and shakers whose tactics have helped shape and create UTLA's recent victory.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Boston/ Los Angeles/ Alaska (Yes, Alaska) Update!
For the latest on teacher union strikes or negotiations, click here.
Boston
In Boston, this CBS channel is predicting that the weather will not affect the turnout for or scheduling of the strike vote. A quick check of the union's web page indicates the vote is still on, same bat time, same bat channel. The Bostonist claims the National Weather Service and the Boston Administration are in bed together. Heh.
Last night there was a debate between President Stutman and the Boston Superintendent over the contract issues/ deadlock. You can read about it in the Boston Herald. Just a few days before the strike, previously linked Steve explores the issues he has with his participation of the strike from a Christian perspective, one that I never thought of.
Jeff Stutman of the Cabot Institute speaks out against the potential strike, warning of the public good being trampled upon by organized labor. Whether he's right or not, you should know he is a labor lawyer who represents Fortune 500 companies with a wide array of labor-related services. Included in his repetoire is strike planning, tactics to make sure a company realizes there's "life after a walkout".
Los Angeles
This article from the LA Daily news has a great rundown on some of the issues with the UTLA contract settlement. It raises the issue about David Brewer, the former Navy Admiral turned LAUSD Superintendent-- what effect will this have on him? I think he's earned some political capital with this settlement, even though we all know that Superintendents aren't the ones who do the negotiating and are merely mouthpieces for board negotiatiors when they are allowed to speak.
Alaska
I don't know how I missed this, but the Anchorage Education Association, led by the uh, interestingly named President Ron Fuhrer had taken a strike vote back in December and it appears that a strike is "imminent". My one question is if they do strike, do they have to picket?
Boston
In Boston, this CBS channel is predicting that the weather will not affect the turnout for or scheduling of the strike vote. A quick check of the union's web page indicates the vote is still on, same bat time, same bat channel. The Bostonist claims the National Weather Service and the Boston Administration are in bed together. Heh.
Last night there was a debate between President Stutman and the Boston Superintendent over the contract issues/ deadlock. You can read about it in the Boston Herald. Just a few days before the strike, previously linked Steve explores the issues he has with his participation of the strike from a Christian perspective, one that I never thought of.
Jeff Stutman of the Cabot Institute speaks out against the potential strike, warning of the public good being trampled upon by organized labor. Whether he's right or not, you should know he is a labor lawyer who represents Fortune 500 companies with a wide array of labor-related services. Included in his repetoire is strike planning, tactics to make sure a company realizes there's "life after a walkout".
Los Angeles
This article from the LA Daily news has a great rundown on some of the issues with the UTLA contract settlement. It raises the issue about David Brewer, the former Navy Admiral turned LAUSD Superintendent-- what effect will this have on him? I think he's earned some political capital with this settlement, even though we all know that Superintendents aren't the ones who do the negotiating and are merely mouthpieces for board negotiatiors when they are allowed to speak.
Alaska
I don't know how I missed this, but the Anchorage Education Association, led by the uh, interestingly named President Ron Fuhrer had taken a strike vote back in December and it appears that a strike is "imminent". My one question is if they do strike, do they have to picket?
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Breaking news for UTLA/ BTU/ Lee County
For the latest on teacher union strikes or negotiations, click here.
Looks like the machinations worked. Last minute agreement on Monday set the raise at 6% (retroactive to July 1, 2006) and a reduction of class sizes at the high school level to 41, middle school to 42. However, UTLA AJ Duffy promised to walk out on anything less that a 9% raise...so who won this one? You can read about it here, but this LA Times article is better. UPDATE: Here's the PDF contract highlights off of UTLA's website. Keep in mind this contract is tentative, their executive board and legislative assembly has to vote on it, then the membership has to ratify it.
The strike drums are beating even louder in Boston. BTU has been running a "smaller is better" TV spot since 2/3, you can see it on the BTU page here. News agencies are touting a one-day strike as happening on Thursday (the membership is assembling tomorrow night), though it will be interesting to see if the weather does anything to re-schedule the strike. UPDATE: Looks like the weather may play a role in delaying the strike vote.
BTU hasn't struck since 1993 and has been without a new contract since 2005. Boston is opening community centers, opening libraries early to warehouse the students who are not able to stay home and is going to pay $400,000 for this effort, simply because the board is unable to effectively negotiate. Read more about it here. Of course, the Mass conservatives weigh in here, and while I want to dismiss them, they do have a good point about the safety of students with the weather. Darren at Right on the Left Coast has a "can't we all just get along" post on the subject that tugs at the heartstrings a bit.
On a side note, Lee County teachers are still on strike. Most recently, concerned parents went to the state capitol to fight for teacher pay raises. THIS JUST IN: Union and board reps are meeting with a mediator today. Read about it here, though the article incorrectly states they've been on strike for 13 weeks-- it's actually 13 days folks.
Looks like the machinations worked. Last minute agreement on Monday set the raise at 6% (retroactive to July 1, 2006) and a reduction of class sizes at the high school level to 41, middle school to 42. However, UTLA AJ Duffy promised to walk out on anything less that a 9% raise...so who won this one? You can read about it here, but this LA Times article is better. UPDATE: Here's the PDF contract highlights off of UTLA's website. Keep in mind this contract is tentative, their executive board and legislative assembly has to vote on it, then the membership has to ratify it.
The strike drums are beating even louder in Boston. BTU has been running a "smaller is better" TV spot since 2/3, you can see it on the BTU page here. News agencies are touting a one-day strike as happening on Thursday (the membership is assembling tomorrow night), though it will be interesting to see if the weather does anything to re-schedule the strike. UPDATE: Looks like the weather may play a role in delaying the strike vote.
BTU hasn't struck since 1993 and has been without a new contract since 2005. Boston is opening community centers, opening libraries early to warehouse the students who are not able to stay home and is going to pay $400,000 for this effort, simply because the board is unable to effectively negotiate. Read more about it here. Of course, the Mass conservatives weigh in here, and while I want to dismiss them, they do have a good point about the safety of students with the weather. Darren at Right on the Left Coast has a "can't we all just get along" post on the subject that tugs at the heartstrings a bit.
On a side note, Lee County teachers are still on strike. Most recently, concerned parents went to the state capitol to fight for teacher pay raises. THIS JUST IN: Union and board reps are meeting with a mediator today. Read about it here, though the article incorrectly states they've been on strike for 13 weeks-- it's actually 13 days folks.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Union Bouquet #9: Post Carnival Edition
For the latest on teacher union strikes or negotiations, click here.
Welcome to the 9th edition of the Union Bouquet! I hosted the last edition of the Carnival of Education and whew...that was some work. Fun, rewarding, love the traffic it's bringing to the ol' site, but it's quite a bit of work.
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you haven't heard about the teacher contract language searchable database.
Edwize brings us the news of a Chinese teacher strike....next, pigs will fly to a recently frozen over hell. Perhaps they saw this post of mine.
Okay, so perhaps she's not necessarily a teacher, but she's still one of us. Dr. Homeslice has a crush on Ms. Solidarity Forever.
Edutheria presents for all the letter that Darren got from a CTA bigwig about California Empowerment Network. The best quote from Edutheria? "When will the public at last turn on these vile, thuggish, cynical, reactionary unions?"
Ednotes reports on the job action that has begun in LAUSD with the UTLA boycotting after school meetings and unpaid after school events. On a side note, I already got that up in the last UB, but they beat me on the possible one day Boston Teacher's Union Stike. The reason is apparently to express displeasure with the way negotiations are going. Since they've been working without a contract since August 31st, a one day strike won't violate any performance pledge in their current contract. It's interesting to note that they threatened a one-day strike in 2003 and got a contract then as well. Here is a Boston Globe article about it.
Middletown Teachers Association in Middletown, NY has a nifty website where they have a "Grievance Corner".
Texas Ed has a post that has something to do with getting rid of ineffective teachers, but I can't figure it out for the life of me.
This is probably the most well-written news article about a grievance hearing. It's also the most uh, sensational.
In West Virginia, teachers might go on strike, so the local news station resurected footage of the 1990 strike and streamed it on their site.
Mr. Chalk, a limey, explains why he hasn't joined a union in 14 years of teaching.
The Governor of Maine is all for the consolidation of 290 school districts into 26 regional districts. The Maine Education Association is all over it.
Limonada recalls going on strike....against her father, the principal of her school....when she was in third grade. Priceless.
The Detroit News slams DFT members for being elitist and sending more of their own children to private schools than the public.
Joyeous explains the Boston Teachers' Union demonstration. She should know, she took part in it.
The Metro Nashville Education Association (I did a long post about them and their briefly appointed homeschooling school board windbag-thorn-in-their-side, Kay Brooks here) is being sued by a teacher who wants to get out of the union, but can't do it until the two month window according to the bylaws open up.
Ascribe ends up on the wrong end of a grievance. A 2 year teacher, he applied for and was hired for a lucrative school newspaper gig over a 30 year veteran. The teacher thought she should have been hired because she was better qualified and grieved it. The union is supporting the grievance.
Commentary: I realize I only have one part of the story, but as long as the hiring process was followed, this 30 year vet has nothing to complain about. Yes, it sucks when you don't get hired and you think you're the best candidate for the job. I've been there before, I think we all have. Bringing the union into this is the wrong thing to do just because you think you're the best qualified one, and it's even worse that this person's local is picking up their case. Just because you're the one with the most seniority doesn't mean you're the most qualified.
By the way, don't forget to take a look at my new and exclusive feature.
Technorati Tags:
Teacher Union
Job Action
Contract Negotiation
Strike
School Board
Welcome to the 9th edition of the Union Bouquet! I hosted the last edition of the Carnival of Education and whew...that was some work. Fun, rewarding, love the traffic it's bringing to the ol' site, but it's quite a bit of work.
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you haven't heard about the teacher contract language searchable database.
Edwize brings us the news of a Chinese teacher strike....next, pigs will fly to a recently frozen over hell. Perhaps they saw this post of mine.
Okay, so perhaps she's not necessarily a teacher, but she's still one of us. Dr. Homeslice has a crush on Ms. Solidarity Forever.
Edutheria presents for all the letter that Darren got from a CTA bigwig about California Empowerment Network. The best quote from Edutheria? "When will the public at last turn on these vile, thuggish, cynical, reactionary unions?"
Ednotes reports on the job action that has begun in LAUSD with the UTLA boycotting after school meetings and unpaid after school events. On a side note, I already got that up in the last UB, but they beat me on the possible one day Boston Teacher's Union Stike. The reason is apparently to express displeasure with the way negotiations are going. Since they've been working without a contract since August 31st, a one day strike won't violate any performance pledge in their current contract. It's interesting to note that they threatened a one-day strike in 2003 and got a contract then as well. Here is a Boston Globe article about it.
Middletown Teachers Association in Middletown, NY has a nifty website where they have a "Grievance Corner".
Texas Ed has a post that has something to do with getting rid of ineffective teachers, but I can't figure it out for the life of me.
This is probably the most well-written news article about a grievance hearing. It's also the most uh, sensational.
In West Virginia, teachers might go on strike, so the local news station resurected footage of the 1990 strike and streamed it on their site.
Mr. Chalk, a limey, explains why he hasn't joined a union in 14 years of teaching.
The Governor of Maine is all for the consolidation of 290 school districts into 26 regional districts. The Maine Education Association is all over it.
Limonada recalls going on strike....against her father, the principal of her school....when she was in third grade. Priceless.
The Detroit News slams DFT members for being elitist and sending more of their own children to private schools than the public.
Joyeous explains the Boston Teachers' Union demonstration. She should know, she took part in it.
The Metro Nashville Education Association (I did a long post about them and their briefly appointed homeschooling school board windbag-thorn-in-their-side, Kay Brooks here) is being sued by a teacher who wants to get out of the union, but can't do it until the two month window according to the bylaws open up.
Ascribe ends up on the wrong end of a grievance. A 2 year teacher, he applied for and was hired for a lucrative school newspaper gig over a 30 year veteran. The teacher thought she should have been hired because she was better qualified and grieved it. The union is supporting the grievance.
Commentary: I realize I only have one part of the story, but as long as the hiring process was followed, this 30 year vet has nothing to complain about. Yes, it sucks when you don't get hired and you think you're the best candidate for the job. I've been there before, I think we all have. Bringing the union into this is the wrong thing to do just because you think you're the best qualified one, and it's even worse that this person's local is picking up their case. Just because you're the one with the most seniority doesn't mean you're the most qualified.
By the way, don't forget to take a look at my new and exclusive feature.
Technorati Tags:
Teacher Union
Job Action
Contract Negotiation
Strike
School Board
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