Bloomberg's Josh Eidelson thinks it might be.
The fury among low-paid teachers that triggered a wildcat teachers’ strike in West Virginia—the longest in its history—may be spreading.
Teachers across the country may soon build on the state’s example. The Oklahoma teachers’ union said it will shut down schools within months if its demands aren’t met, and some teachers said they may strike even if a deal is reached.
“The end goal is funding for public education and our core services, and if it takes us closing down schools to do that, then we are prepared and willing to do so,” said Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association. On Thursday, the OEA will announce a timetable that could culminate in a school shutdown if lawmakers don’t pass teacher raises, something the legislature hasn’t done in a decade. While some teachers may have been on the fence, said Priest, the two-week West Virginia strike “has given them an emboldened sense of purpose and a sense of power.”That may not be enough for the rank and file.
Some Oklahoma teachers are planning a wildcat strike of their own. Leaders from a dozen schools met last week to discuss such an unsanctioned walkout, and they plan to reconvene Wednesday to vote on a strike date. If the union’s plans aren’t to their liking, they may walk out, said Larry Cagle, who teaches advanced placement courses and is one of the organizers behind the independent effort. “We’re going to force this on the union and on the superintendent,” he said. “Teachers are ready—they are chomping at the bit.”
Teachers across the country may soon build on the state’s example. The Oklahoma teachers’ union said it will shut down schools within months if its demands aren’t met, and some teachers said they may strike even if a deal is reached.
“The end goal is funding for public education and our core services, and if it takes us closing down schools to do that, then we are prepared and willing to do so,” said Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association. On Thursday, the OEA will announce a timetable that could culminate in a school shutdown if lawmakers don’t pass teacher raises, something the legislature hasn’t done in a decade. While some teachers may have been on the fence, said Priest, the two-week West Virginia strike “has given them an emboldened sense of purpose and a sense of power.”That may not be enough for the rank and file.
Some Oklahoma teachers are planning a wildcat strike of their own. Leaders from a dozen schools met last week to discuss such an unsanctioned walkout, and they plan to reconvene Wednesday to vote on a strike date. If the union’s plans aren’t to their liking, they may walk out, said Larry Cagle, who teaches advanced placement courses and is one of the organizers behind the independent effort. “We’re going to force this on the union and on the superintendent,” he said. “Teachers are ready—they are chomping at the bit.”
The whole piece is worth reading.
As we have said before, the point is not to wait for union leadership to become militant. That militancy must come from the rank and file in the schools.
21 comments:
I hope to God that teachers strikes are the "new normal". The teaching profession has been shat on for so long that it is about time to rally in the streets.
Open school last night, my principal made us have a meeting at 5pm, we werent even on the clock yet...Chapter Leader....Silent.
What about the rest of you? Silent too? Stop expecting leaders to do something and lead. Not easy I know but our best hope is coming together and saying no more.
The nausea comes in waves. NYC teachers will never strike. The UFT will do nothing unless people start pulling dues.
Right, which is why im pulling dues...
James is absolutely right in his response to Anonymous 7:17.
If you can't find a leader, be a leader.
Or passively allow the abuse to continue.
Can someone please explain the history of parent teacher conferences being at the end of the day? I feel like going on strike after these every year. What is the logic of this extended day when most districts would have a half-day, or no instruction at all? I’m serious, when did this start and what?
strike we must ... not necessarily for pay but for better working conditions. I have been teaching for 16 years, same text book. computers are antiquated; projectors blow out, smart boards hanging on a string? hot as hell in the spring and fall, summer school is miserable. Random observations, no discipline, watered down code. insubordinate students with ineffective parents. weapons, drugs all over the school. Every school should have scanning!!!!
Wow. Only 8 comments on this thread? I guess the rank and file of the UFT will not be striking anytime soon.
It seems the discussion is being had in other threads. People are articulating contract demands and talking about striking. So, instead of being a wiseass, why don’t you just share your opinion; would *you* strike, and for what?
That's right 12:50. Strike for better working conditions which includes observations, less time in the school building, elimination of workplace discrimination and harassment. Will take a small raise if these items are in place, but do need more than a 1% raise per year. People need to stop bringing multiple children into this world if they cannot afford it and cannot provide the attention required to raise a child.
You guys have fallen into
the trap. The conditions have gotten so bad that most dont even want a raise, they want better conditions. We are really a bunch of suckers.
We can take the same pattern raise that every other union takes and say we are not fighting over money but working conditions.
20 yrs service retire at 50 with 40% buy out please. 2 observations and our hours to pre- 05' schedule. Do that and I'll take the % agreed upon by the "pattern."
Is the TDA fixed compounded daily, monthly, annually? TY
Ask TRS. I would strike over working conditions for sure.
7:35 is right. Though, I think we have a strong hand since deBlasio just gave the Chancellor a whopping FIFTY percent raise. We have to ask for the same, but. I’d settle for pattern raises if he restores all of pre Bloomberg contract.
Two open school nights a year for parent teacher conferences for teachers back since I started many years ago. That was increased to four in the 2014 contract for most schools.
Notice how de Blasio scheduled a big retro payment right before we will be ratifying our contract? And, there are two afterwords. F this guy. He’s going to jam us up with Merit Pay, and if we threaten a strike, he’ll rescind those last two retro checks.
Can he legally rescind our retro checks?
I have literally 30 grand coming to me in the next 3 retro checks. He better not fuck with that.
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