teachers possibly striking

[smidgy]

In a district near me, the teachers have voted down a very reasonable proposal. they will be getting raises and an increase in contribution to health benefits. they want more contribution to their pensions. they are threatening to strike.
In this economy, it is absurd! Of COURSE teachers are important! YES! their job is important.
However, MANY people who deserved raises agreed to PAY CUTS, JUST to have a job! I know people who have lost their homes, lost their jobs due to cutbacks or places just going out of business. I know people who have taken jobs at HALF the pay at their original jobs.. no benefits... and thankful to HAVE a job. In these tough times, when people are struggling to pay their bills, I can't believe they aren't happy with ANY RAISE at all!
so MANY put off needed medical tests, treatment, and pay TONS out of pocket for needed prescriptions, because they lost their health insurance when their place of business went under.
ok, I vented. flame away. just remember, I am NOT talking about DESERVING, I'm talking about being fair. IN this economy, a LOT of people DESERVE a LOT more than they are getting. If you have a job offering you RAISES and INCREASED contribution to health benefits, be thankful.

 

[creativeamanda]

I am a teacher/public school administrator and I'm not going to flame. IMO, it is NEVER reasonable for teachers to strike. In the state where I work (SC), it is ILLEGAL. I may get flamed for saying this, but teachers should think of the students they teach and be thankful to have a JOB in this economy. I've gone through many years when then economy was "good" with absolutely no pay raise. I would have never thought of striking when there were children in need of teachers. To me, it is unethical and in our society with our labor laws, it can be done without striking.

 

[shortbun]

A few years ago, our teachers 'worked the contract' which means they did ONLY what their contract required. The impact was impressive. They got what they wanted and they did it by coming to work. They walked in the bldgs as a group and walked out that way at the very moment requried. As a union member, I support their right to strike but I gotta say, this method was really effective.

 

[MDTerrapin]

I hate when people say "you should just eb thankful you have a job".
I am thankful I have a job but I also believe that my job, RN, should be compensated fairly. I am sure that there is more to this contract issue than you are being told.

Karen

 

[mom2faith]

I am sure that there is more to this contract issue than you are being told.

I was going to say the same thing!!

I remember a local vote a few years ago and the media reported the wage increase that was turned down - but who gave the media the numbers? In this case it was not the Union and the numbers were skewed. These are example numbers - but they said the teachers turned down a 20% raise over 3 years. So everyone was shocked, but we later learned that the 20% raise was not all MONEY - it included benefits, EDO's etc, that actual increase in paid time was very minimal. So for example - they may have increased their benefits but not their pay. The terms really are not known.

Just something to consider....

 

[bucket o' butter]

A few years ago, our teachers 'worked the contract' which means they did ONLY what their contract required. The impact was impressive. They got what they wanted and they did it by coming to work. They walked in the bldgs as a group and walked out that way at the very moment requried. As a union member, I support their right to strike but I gotta say, this method was really effective.

I have to say that I totally agree with this method. I am a teacher myself and I also think striking is only a "slap in the face" to the children, the people we have vowed to help. But, at the same time, so much more is asked of teachers now. Things keep getting added on and added on. It isn't a matter of teaching the 3 R's anymore. Now we have to be a nurse, social worker, babysitter, etc. If we only did what was written in our contract, people would see all the extra work teachers do. For example, my required hours are from 8:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. Monday - Friday. Usually, I am there at 7:30 each day and don't leave before 4:00. And then, there is the work I do at home and the time spent at the school on the weekends. Well, I won't go on anymore. I don't want to start preaching!

Yes, I know people in other professions do extra work than that is not "required" of them. I can only speak from an educator's point of view. I am thankful I have a job. My dh works in the automotive industry so we are on pins and needles all the time with his job.

Well, thanks for letting me vent. I am very proud to be a teacher and will do everything I can possibly do to help our youth, our future leaders!

 

[dougsmom98]

A few years ago, our teachers 'worked the contract' which means they did ONLY what their contract required. The impact was impressive. They got what they wanted and they did it by coming to work. They walked in the bldgs as a group and walked out that way at the very moment requried. As a union member, I support their right to strike but I gotta say, this method was really effective.

I am a teacher and I also agree with this method. Thankfully, we have never had to do this and I hope we never do. I do not believe in teachers striking by walking the picket line. It is not fair to the children. I agree with this economy we should not be expecting much in the way of increases, but we also have families that we need to support and there has to be some middle ground.

 

[eh24fan]

I am a teacher/public school administrator and I'm not going to flame. IMO, it is NEVER reasonable for teachers to strike. In the state where I work (SC), it is ILLEGAL. I may get flamed for saying this, but teachers should think of the students they teach and be thankful to have a JOB in this economy. I've gone through many years when then economy was "good" with absolutely no pay raise. I would have never thought of striking when there were children in need of teachers. To me, it is unethical and in our society with our labor laws, it can be done without striking.

EXACTLY! I've always felt the same way. I think that teachers who strike don't deserve to be teachers. I'm sure I'll get flamed for that, but it's JMO. The kids deserve better. I think that teachers don't have nearly as bad as some make it out to be. My stepmom, aunt and SIL are teachers and they seem pretty happy to me. Summers off, holidays off, weekends off, state benefits, decent pay..yeah, crappy job there. Sorry...I just get tired of the woe-is-me-attitude of some teachers.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'm going to move this over to the CB. The topic is better suited to that forum.

 

[maggiew]

The teachers at my girls school went on strike a couple years ago. They were out for a little over 2 weeks. You can't imagine the havoc it wreaked on familes. We were lucky because my parents live us and could watch the girls during the day. But imagine the people who weren't so lucky. Parents couldn't take 2 weeks of sick leave to stay home with their kids!!! People dropped their kids at the library ALL day as a babysitter. The parks were full, etc. It was terrible for so many people.

Plus the kids were in school until just after mid-June. I'm sure it ruined a lot of vacations too that were planned in early June. Luckily I never plan early June vacations because I know there can be snow days, so we were lucky in that regard too.

Maggie

 

[loco4dis]

I am a public school teacher and, thankfully, my district has never gone on strike since I joined it, but they've threatened. I could never participate in a strike. First, it is illegal in my state. Second, a teacher strike is nothing more than teachers holding students hostage until their demands are met. That is simply what a teachers strike is. It's immoral, and it undermines their argument down the road when they say they need this or that "for the kids."

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

I'm also a teacher. I DO think it is reasonable for teachers to strike in EXTREME conditions. For example, Kentucky teachers threatened a strike a few years ago over health care. State wanted major changes that would cost most teachers $100s more a month.

Although a pp said, there is more to this contract issue...I dont' feel in this economy it is reasonable. Also, there are more options other than a regular strike. Nashville teachers successfully opposed a terrible contract, by having a working strike. They refused to perform any duties during the school day that they were not paid for...like grading papers on home time, morning supervision and that stuff. This didn't hurt the students as much as a regular strike.

 

[In a hurry]

I am a teacher/public school administrator and I'm not going to flame. IMO, it is NEVER reasonable for teachers to strike. In the state where I work (SC), it is ILLEGAL. I may get flamed for saying this, but teachers should think of the students they teach and be thankful to have a JOB in this economy. I've gone through many years when then economy was "good" with absolutely no pay raise. I would have never thought of striking when there were children in need of teachers. To me, it is unethical and in our society with our labor laws, it can be done without striking.

Agreed. If we want to be seen as professionals we need to act that way. Professionals don't strike.

 

[nunzia]

I was a teacher for a brief time (my degree allowed me to teach certain subjects at MH and SH without a teaching degree). A few things I noticed as a newbie in this world and I realize it was only in my little world, not the big world, taking into consideration I live in a very poor area, by the border.
Administration was worthless and unhelpful. They wanted you to be the kid's friends (this was mid high)..you could not have rules, you could not give zeros, you could not give homework. A good bit of the year was to gear up for 'testing' instead of just working to educate so they knew the test material. The schedule was ridiculous with too much time for assemblies and this and that and half days, etc. Other teachers were not helpful either. I had come into the class after the class had managed to run out several subs on purpose, my class was an elective that was full of kids other teachers had booted, and a techer had managed to take over my classroom so I had only the lab room to teach in. Basically I was viewed as a babysitter and no one cared about performance. The school was run by the kids..overall the parents didn't care.
yes..teachers have it tough and the system is broken.
However..I was making about the same salary as I had at my management position in a casino in Las Vegas. My Vegas job had me scheduled for 50 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, and pretty much tough if I was sick. I had plenty of time I could take off, but it's very difficult because then it puts a huge burden on the others as there is no system to cover for time off.
I'm sorry, but, again, in my experience, I noticed alot of whining from teachers about pay and time to do their job. I was contracted for 183 days a year. That's a bunch of time off, and if you figure those 183 days of working into the year it's a pretty good darn pay. All the extra in service training days..included in the 183. My old job required alot of training and I could do it on my days off with no further pay. I had a period of prep time allowed per day when I did papers and lesson plans, but alot of the other teachers would hang out in the break room and then complain about how much extra they had to do. And yes, I understand there is work to do at home...most professional jobs have additional duties you are just expected to do.
So..I don't know what this strike is about..but if I worked in a industry that had such a bad success rate (US #26 in the world in school or some horrible thing) then I'd be fighting for things that would help the success rate.
I'm not knocking all teachers, or even most..not by a long shot. They have a very difficult and important job to do and deserve respect and decent pay. But..the system needs to be fixed, bad teachers need to be able to be let go, good ones rewarded. A plan needs to be found to fix this mess and it isn't just a case of throwing money at it.

 

[Sandy321]

Smidgey do you remember when Fox Lake went on strike? Maybe 20 years ago tho! (I'm really old!! lol)

that district never recovered! Everytime our districts contract comes up someone brings up the strike at Fox Lake - I think they even hired subs to take over - they were then black balled from every other teaching position in the Lake County school district! (or so a few reported - who knows for sure?!)

A few teachers worked out the details and stress that no one ever "wins" in a strike.

My dad was a union worker, as his father before him. In our country, the time of unions have passed. Yet its very difficult to explain how a teacher's union is still necessary in this "good ole boy's club" of admin in the teaching field. But strikes do NOT work anywhere anymore! I think people that work hard in salaried or commissioned position resent anyone in a union - there are many many people in this country that work long hours for minimum wage, people losing their homes, their pensions are gone - (Enron etc)

The one hotel (Congress) in Chicago is still on strike, its been over 2 years!

 

[JimB.]

Teacher's strikes (IMHO) are exceptionally counterproductive. I believe that teachers should be classified as public service employees & not allowed to strike. There are no winners in a teachers strike. When I was in 4th grade I was a "victim" of a strike and a 2 week strike effectively trashed 1/2 the school year. It was chaos & totally a waste of time. I remember having subs that absolutely could not control the students.

That being said, I am a member of a labor union. In my line of work, I cannot strike. It Is Illegal. So as a result, we have to work very hard when it comes to contracts & collective bargaining. It's a long give & take process, but up till now has worked reasonably well. Management gets pissy with us sometimes & vice versa. It helps the process when both sides want something pretty bad.

In our country, the time of unions have passed.

With all due respect, I disagree. The Union I belong to is a leading advocate for the safety of it's members. Many of the safety procedures & equipment we now have come as a direct result of the tireless efforts of our national leadership lobbying various states & the Feds HARD.

I work in a "right to work" state, but as a result of our contract I enjoy protection from FRIVOLOUS & PUNITIVE job actions or termination. We CAN get fired (in fact one of my co-workers got canned last week, & rightfully so). Our Union does NOT guarantee "employment for life", and I disagree when someone is. Employers should be able to hold employees accountable for inadequate job performance, up to & including termination when it's called for.

They should NOT be able to can you for participating in union, political or other outside activities or just because there is a personal issue of some nature. THAT's what my Union does for us. Along with ceaselessly fighting for our safety & health. Salary and pay very rarely are addressed by our state & national unions.

ETA: I do NOT have a problem with teachers "working to the contract". I've never heard it put that way, but I think it can be an effective tool to demonstrate to the School board how much they are "getting for free" out of their teachers..

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Our district had a pay freeze last year. This year I get a whopping 1.5% raise. Our union leaders told us to be happy with it. The biggest raise I've seen in the area is 3%. Back in the day 4-5% was the norm.
I think it sucks after we agreed to a freeze. I'm on a "step" in the pay schedule so my only pay increase is percentage raises until I'm on the next step.
Yes, everything is going up--but it's going up for us too.
BTW we've never had to work to the contract, but we did talk about it once. I'd much rather do that than strike. For me a strike would hurt not only my students, but my family $ wise.
Robin M.

 

[smidgy]

I'm so glad to see so many people agree with me!

yes, sandy, I rremember the fox lake strike. also, in chicago in 1987. we were living with my dad for 4 months "between" houses. my son was in the top reading group out here in carpentersville. chicago teachers went on strike and my son missed weeks of school. went we moved back out here, he was way behind and never caught up.

the editorial board of the Northwest Herald, our local paper states their belief that teachers shouldn't be allowed to strike. I think it is not only a slap in the face to the children, but also to those who have lost their jobs in this economy, and would willingly take a pay CUT to have a job.

I'm happy so many feel the same. It makes me feel better about the human race!

 

[golfgal]

Agreed. If we want to be seen as professionals we need to act that way. Professionals don't strike.

Pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers--not professionals??



I would have to know what their raise was and what their new contributions were. My last year teaching we were offered a 1 % raise spread out over 2 years. It worked out to be a couple bucks/week--oh boy that was going to go far.

 

[manning]

I was going to say the same thing!!

I remember a local vote a few years ago and the media reported the wage increase that was turned down - but who gave the media the numbers? In this case it was not the Union and the numbers were skewed. These are example numbers - but they said the teachers turned down a 20% raise over 3 years. So everyone was shocked, but we later learned that the 20% raise was not all MONEY - it included benefits, EDO's etc, that actual increase in paid time was very minimal. So for example - they may have increased their benefits but not their pay. The terms really are not known.

Just something to consider....

Benefits are part of the pay. Perhaps they would have voted for it if the money was increased and the benefits were reduced? After all some of that extra money would have to be used to replace the reduced benefits.

Someone I know couldn't figure out why people were being let go at his company with lower salaries, until it was explained the big savings in benefits. The company was saving up to 40% per person.