Breaking: 87% of Tacoma teachers vote to strike!

[Generic Other]

Several DUers among them.



Tacoma teachers have voted to strike starting Tuesday.

That means no school tomorrow - and possibly beyond.

Across town at district headquarters, district administrators and school board members are meeting and could decide to file a legal challenge over the strike.

Contract talks between the district and the teachers union ended Saturday night without a tentative agreement. No negotiations took place Sunday or today.

Issues include pay, class size and – the biggest point of contention, both sides say – how teachers can be reassigned or transferred within the district.

Read more: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/09/12/1821503/tacoma-teachers-to-strike-no-school.html#ixzz1Xn84fdJs

[Starry Messenger]

1. k&r

[senseandsensibility]

2. To become strike legal, teachers must jump through a myriad of

hoops. This is not a rash decision on their part. I support them and have faith that they are doing this for the benefit of their students and public education as well as fairness.

[rsmith6621]

3. REC +6 People are PISSED

I believe their SUP got a real nice raise and benefit package and people up here are fuming that the teachers would walk out on the kids...

[Doremus]

4. In solidarity with the teachers! K&R

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. K&R! n/t

[girl gone mad]

6. k & r

[bvar22]

7. Solidarity!

You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Robb]

8. Always dangerous, I applaud their fortitude.

I do not envy teachers' unions that are forced to action like this one bit. It is a nearly impossible PR challenge.

[Betsy Ross]

9. K&R in Solidarity. n/t

[leftstreet]

10. K&R

[jimlup]

11. OH Shit well I knew it would hit somewhere soon.

[Odin2005]

12. SOLIDARITY!

[femmocrat]

13. K&R Standing with my fellow educators.

WE

ARE

ONE

[iemitsu]

42. thank you for your support.

we will know that others are with us while we walk the picket line.

[IndyPragmatist]

14. I never support a teacher strike, I'm sorry

I know that will not be a popular opinion here, but students should always be the first priority.

I experienced a 4 week strike when I was in 5th grade. We basically lost an entire semester of education. When kids came back, we were told to cram 12 weeks of education into 8. I did fine, but much of my class did not. It was a small school (only about 50 in my grade), but we had 7 students held back that year.

Students should always be the first priority.

[madfloridian]

16. The teachers are striking because the students are NOT the first priority.

It's becoming all about the "reformers" now. Students are not their concern.

[IndyPragmatist]

18. It doesn't seem that way

"Issues include pay, class size and – the biggest point of contention, both sides say – how teachers can be reassigned or transferred within the district."

Class size can be argued that its for the students benefit, but it can also be argued that its for the teachers benefit. Pay and reassignment are not keeping the students as the first priority.

[femmocrat]

20. Reassignments and involuntary transfers are often used to "punish" teachers.

Especially the ones who don't comply with current administrative nonsense.

The union and strike leaders will pay dearly next year, teaching the roughest classes in the "worst" schools in the district, and probably out of their certification areas.

[Generic Other]

21. This is precisely what happened to those who ran afoul of the current Super

It is a very important issue. And already happening.

[Luminous Animal]

24. Actually, without clear rules, subjective reassignment is distablizing for

the teachers & the students. I don't know about your district, but activists parents in San Francisco work closely with teachers to improve their schools over the long term. It would be much more difficult to accomplish goals if the parents had to work with a constantly shifting staff. My next door neighbors whose child is in first grade are already communicating (in coalition with other parents) with the teachers at the junior high school. They are already working with teachers to accomplish goals that won't be realized for another 6 years.

Also, having experienced teachers that have been with a school offers the opportunity for parents to rely on an educator that they might trust as their kid advances in the school. A friend of mine teaches 3rd grade; one of the 4th grade teachers is a newbie and is struggling with classroom management and my friend has gotten a few calls from parents of ex-students asking my friend to (casually) intervene and give the new teacher a mentoring assist.

I think it's odd though that we expect teachers to give up any and all personal security for the c-h-i-l-d-r-e-n.

They've got families and lives, as well.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. Pay and reassignment are most certainly important for students

Pay attracts good teachers. Reassignment is upsetting to students and to the school community. How would you like your child's teacher reassigned in October?

[fishwax]

32. I think all of thsoe issues are important for students

:kick:

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[YvonneCa]

59. I suggest you delve into the issue of education reform...

...before deciding which side 'supports the kids.' Research online. Google Diane Ravitch and read her book. You are entitled to your opinion, but basing it on one negative experience in your own childhood is a little naive, IMHO.

[Generic Other]

17. I know a DUer with 47 students in 2 of his high school classes

Chew on that concept. 94 students in two hours!

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. We have 35-40 in our kdg and 1st grade classes

Class size has exploded this year.

[Generic Other]

35. That is insane

And sad because kids these days are starved for attention. We are failing these kids out of greed.

[iemitsu]

41. yes, we short change our kids in this society.

the students i work with are needy in so many ways but they are also wonderfully thoughtful and decent young people.
i have had students sitting on the back counter and on any stool or chair i could find since school started this year yet they have been attentive and on task.
the district won't do a thing about it since we have been working without a contract.
our students and their families support what we are doing.

[Sabriel]

29. They're workers, not martyrs

When it comes down to it, teachers are people who deserve the same rights and respect as any other worker, including the right to strike.

And the students are getting a valuable lesson in labor relations.

[Broderick]

39. Kids will survive but

If the teachers don't fight the kids might not get the best. Support the front line, support the teachers.

[Bandit]

53. Then the parents either should support the teachers or pay for private schooling.

Why should teachers always be left holding the bag? It is up to parents, and if they won't support their local teachers then why have school at all?

[Posteritatis]

65. So teachers should just bend over and take whatever abuse their employers offer? (nt)

[madfloridian]

15. We struck in Florida in 68.....it was really tough.

Then Florida passed laws that meant teachers couldn't strike.

I wish them the very best, and I applaud their courage.

[Generic Other]

19. These teachers are fighting a Gates-led invasion of their district

That is the man with his charter school crap that brought on this situation. His handpicked super, school board, foundation money dangled over their heads to facilitate the destruction of the public schools....ack don't get me started.

[marmar]

22. Solidarity !!!!

[marlakay]

23. I know of someone in seattle area that got transferred

And because of it lost her senority and they were able to lower her hours so she is part time now...and this girl who only worked in dept two years is full time...

According to my cousin who is a teacher also they did it because she made more per hour...

And somehow even with union they got away with it...

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. Teachers don't get paid by the hour; they are on salary

[FreeState]

25. K&R

[socialist_n_TN]

26. Well I'm a commie, so I'm ALWAYS on the side

of the working class. So that means, SOLIDARITY WITH THE TEACHERS.

The West Coast is getting pretty rowdy. I like it!

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. Who are the DUers?

[iemitsu]

33. i'm one whose union voted tonight to strike.

i have always said, when all one's republican friends think it's time to strike, it's time to strike.

[Generic Other]

36. We will all be with you in spirit or in person

Want me to bring my guitar down and play some union songs?

[iemitsu]

40. yes. we'd all love it.

think of how far our voices could be heard.
the more people who show their support for the teachers the sooner we can get this settled.
thank you for all the wonderful things you have done for public education and the community.
you're support and encouragement will be appreciated by all on the picket line.

[TBF]

55. If y'all need pizza or something just let us know -

there are ways we can support you from wherever we are. Solidarity!

[iemitsu]

64. wow, cool.

i feel special almost as if i was in wisconsin.
it this drags on we may want (or need) the pizza.
thank you.

[Luminous Animal]

43. +1. How sweet!

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. With you in spirit!

[stevedeshazer]

34. +1 thanks again

Great stuff from Tacoma!

[Jakes Progress]

38. Now. Where are those comfortable shoes?

[DeSwiss]

44. GENERAL STRIKE!!! - K&R n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

46. Spreading

Expect to see more.

[iemitsu]

47. if this kicks off a general strike

i can die a proud man.
these are tough times for american workers but we are a tough breed.

[Le Taz Hot]

48. Big time support from California!

:woohoo: :yourock:

[marions ghost]

49. Excellent A+++

:thumbsup: :grouphug: Tacoma teachers :yourock:

[iemitsu]

50. i want to thank everyone here who has offered support

as i grab my "on strike" sign and head out the door.
we don't want washington to be the next wisconsin.

[Luminous Animal]

51. Please keep us updated.

And let us know if there is anything we can do.

Solidarity!

[iemitsu]

68. here's the update i posted on another thread.

while the teachers union invited the district administrators to resume bargaining again today the district chose instead to go to court seeking an injunction to force us back to work. that will be ruled on tomorrow at 9:00 am.
teachers with "on strike" signs picketed the five comprehensive high schools in town. motorists drove by and expressed support for the striking teachers. there were a few who displayed a thumbs down and some who frowned but many, many drivers honked their horns and waved to show support.
by noon the teachers were joined by dozens of students and many parents. the teamsters had a representative at the site where i picketed offering teachers support.
one teacher wore a pedometer and clocked 14 miles walking back and forth in front of the school.
since i was only at one site myself i am not sure how things went at the other sites but i should know more tomorrow.
by the way, the crack i made last night about republicans thinking it was time to strike was not a fabrication. the high school i teach in has an aging staff, many are conservative (i have been in the building 18 years and have argued politics with them all), several preacher's wives, a woman who told me she had been involved in four strikes in her career and voted against striking three of the times. these people all voted to strike.
the vote breakdown:
1869 certificated staff eligible to vote
1777 voted
1623 voted yes (to strike)
151 voted no
the school district and the local media are lambasting the teachers. i just got an auto-call from the schools informing the public that the district is attempting to have the strike ruled illegal and that they are doing everything in their power to get school up and running again (everything that is but offer us a fair contract).
we will be back on the line tomorrow.

[nadinbrzezinski]

54. Strike fund...let us know where to send a few bucks.

[iemitsu]

69. it was just the first day of the strike and i think we are fine for now

but if this fight continues for a while, who knows?

[Greybnk48]

52. GOOD!! Take it across the entire country!

It's about time to end this attack on educators.

[TBF]

56. Solidarity K&R nt

[socialist_n_TN]

57. Kick for exposure

SOLIDARITY!

[The Genealogist]

58. I wish them the very best!

Glad they have the fortitude to do it!

[Jakes Progress]

60. Kick

[lonestarnot]

61. K & R!

[Matariki]

62. Tacoma's on a roll!

Between the teachers and the longshoreman strike they're doing their pacific northwest IWW forebearers proud.

[Claudia Jones]

63. full support

Let us know what we can do to help.

[sarcasmo]

66. Kick for the Union.

[NNN0LHI]

67. From someone who has been on strike before I wish these teachers the best of luck

I used to go on strike and my neighbors would run out and buy what we made from our non-union competitors.

Hope these union members don't have a similar experience. It can be traumatic for someone trying to raise a family.

Solidarity!

Don