Yes, you know...the guy who had the show on MTV a while back (years ago, actually). Survived a bout with testicular cancer, and has....dropped off the radar? I don't know where he is now, but I do remember his stirring rendition of the "bum bum song". Heh.
Anyhow, I'm trolling YouTube to see if there's any new Hayward stuff (there isn't) and I come across this great clip of him. I think it's from his younger days, though it could have been from the Canadian teachers strike from a while back (yes, Tom is a Canuck). He's trying to "interview" striking teachers and they had no clue who he was...and then he does his Tom Green thing.
I think some hard-core unionists might be offended by it; I think it's just plain funny. It reinforces the idea, however humorously portrayed in this clip that if you're going to go on strike, you need to be able to articulate why you're on strike-- so does your rank and file. You need to be able to explain why you're on strike in a way for a person who knows nothing about the intricacies of your situation can understand and sympathize with you. You've gotta do it quick; soundbites are getting shorter and shorter, pretty soon there won't be much of anything left.
A great example of how not to act is the guy that they interview towards the end of the clip; I even started thinking he was a jerk, and I'd never cross that picket line in a million years.
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
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.
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.
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