Listening in the Northwest
A group of laid off teachers brought a petition to the offices of the North Clackamas Education Association in Oregon protesting the union’s decision to accept job cuts over salary freezes – contrary, they claim, to the wishes of the members.
“We took a poll in the spring and they got our opinion and the majority said wage freeze,” said Monica Whiteley, who was laid off. “So I would like them to look at the poll or honor it and have us look at the memo of understanding that is out there.”
They said they feel the union hasn’t been listening or communicating.
“I have felt like my voice has not been heard. I wasn’t asked was I OK with losing my job,” said Jenny Klassen, another laid off teacher.
Meanwhile, members of the Kent Education Association in Washington state voted overwhelmingly to go on strike. Only one problem with that:
Washington courts and the Attorney General’s office have repeatedly ruled that teacher strikes, like any public-employee strike in Washington State, are illegal.
The KEA disagrees, however.
August 29th, 2009 at 10:12
The District decides to layoff 60 teachers and increase class size and somehow it is the union’s fault. It is the union’s job to protect the union pay scale. It is management’s job to balance their books and layoff employees if they can’t do that. Am I just too much of a romantic? If you don’t want your union to act like a union, maybe you should call Arne and find a charter school to work at?
August 31st, 2009 at 18:09
“It is the union’s job to protect the union pay scale.”
I thought it was the union’s job to protect its members. You know, the ones who by their votes create the union, and by their dues sustain it.
September 1st, 2009 at 06:13
Washington State is back in the courtroom with actions brought by parents & educators about funding for “basic” education.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009780515_apwaschoolmoney.html
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