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?
Showing posts with label Boston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
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.
Friday, February 09, 2007
This just in from a Boston Teacher Union bunker meeting....
Steve blogs about a secret meeting at his school where he and other concerned teachers asked the question "What now?" and "What if we...". He had a thoughtful earlier post about striking from almost a month ago. I can't believe I didn't see it. Read it here.
For the latest on teacher union strikes or negotiations, click here.
For the latest on teacher union strikes or negotiations, click here.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Boston: Tick Tock! France: Ooh Lah Lah!
BTU members are meeting on Valentine's Day for what appears to be a strike vote. I didn't see anything about the executive board authorizing a strike vote by the membership and the media doesn't seem to know anything when it comes to collective bargaining. In fact, I think they do know one word, and one word only-- strike. You know, one thing that bugs me to no end is when the local media just calls the local the "teacher's union". There's a reason we are an Association or a Federation. All teachers' unions are not alike.
On an even less serious note, it appears that French teachers are now on strike. Well, uh, that is unless they work in this school. But according to this account, the Bordeaux region seemed to be a ghost town. They also talk a lot about dog poo in this blog entry.
I know I should be fully supporting the French in their strike and stuff, but when you only have a 6.5 hour workweek, 6 weeks of paid vacation and cradle to the grave everything that there really isn't all that much to strike for. (Yes, I know I'm being a bit over the top with these descriptions, but so was Homer Simpson when he called the French "cheese eating surrender monkeys" but that was still funny, too.) Though missteacher does have a bit of a poignant post about why she went out into the streets today. So you've made me feel bad, 'an I take back most of the crappy things I just said. Most, not all. :)
Viva La Revolution! (or something like that)
For the latest on teacher union strikes or negotiations, click here.
On an even less serious note, it appears that French teachers are now on strike. Well, uh, that is unless they work in this school. But according to this account, the Bordeaux region seemed to be a ghost town. They also talk a lot about dog poo in this blog entry.
I know I should be fully supporting the French in their strike and stuff, but when you only have a 6.5 hour workweek, 6 weeks of paid vacation and cradle to the grave everything that there really isn't all that much to strike for. (Yes, I know I'm being a bit over the top with these descriptions, but so was Homer Simpson when he called the French "cheese eating surrender monkeys" but that was still funny, too.) Though missteacher does have a bit of a poignant post about why she went out into the streets today. So you've made me feel bad, 'an I take back most of the crappy things I just said. Most, not all. :)
Viva La Revolution! (or something like that)
For the latest on teacher union strikes or negotiations, click here.
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