seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,406
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Oct 21, 2017 1:23:25 GMT
So, here's the backstory on how we got to this point....l the district has been building their reserves (over 10% at this point) while receiving money for class size reduction at k-3 to have classes at 24:1. The district has been running classes at 30:1 while receiving this money and building reserves. The contract they are bargaining right now is for LAST school year. So, this is the 2nd year of working without a contract. The district is in CA (don't know if it really matters much). The district is not claiming inability to pay. Independent state fact finding (who usually finds in favor of the district) came in and checked out all the info and said that the district should get k-3 down to 24:1 AND give the teachers a 6.5% pay raise retro to last school year. It was non binding so the district chose to say no thank you. The teachers have been bargaining and the district refuses to budge on the class sizes (they've got the state teacher association on them now for not using the money as it was intended and they COULD have to pay it back!) and keeps coming back with the same "accept 2% or go away with nothing”. Basically a slap in the face to the hard working teachers. When I was a sub, I would never cross a picket line. If my district were to strike, I would never cross a picket line, When I was a kid, my dad was teaching in the district I attended school in. There was a strike, we went to school and dad walked the line. Based on this backstory I am completely perplexed as to why you would not be supporting the strike. And I'm sorry, but if you send your child to school during a strike you are siding against the teachers. I am supporting them "in the wings" with attending meetings, canvasing. The teachers who I'm friends with get it. They also have kids and are doing what's right for their family. They know I support them with every ounce of my being and that I feel my child should be at school because that's what she's supposed to be doing.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,406
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Oct 21, 2017 1:29:44 GMT
I'm sorry you live in a state where teachers can unionize and strike. Teacher unions are all about the teachers, NOT education. I've lived and taught in non-union and union states. Any wages I gained in the union were taken in taxes. I'm sorry I was intimidated by the union rep sitting in my classroom to join. I have to respectfully disagree on this one. My teachers union is amazing. They have bargained for lower class sizes (k-3) and forced the district to do it. When I started, I did not have a daily prep period and worked SEVEN different courses during the school day, I now have a daily prep and don't take mountains of work home anymore (now they're hills.) We have a better hourly pay (when we do after school stuff or weekend workshops) than I have seen in many neighboring districts. When there is an issue, the union comes in and is an ear to listen and a voice of reason to help figure out how to fix the issue in the most timely and fair to all manner. My union dues are a bit less than $100/mo. The things my union does for me are worth every penny I pay! I'm a 19 year veteran with my district so I've seen MAJOR changes happen in that time.
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