Intercepts
A listening post monitoring public education and teachers’ unions.

The New York City tabloids are having a field day with the tale of Jim Callaghan, who until yesterday worked for the United Federation of Teachers. After 13 years with the union, Callaghan was summarily dismissed and escorted from the building by police for what the UFT claims were “serious behavior issues.”

Callaghan claims he was fired for trying to form a staff union.

“This is the exact antithesis of what they preach, and [UFT President] Michael Mulgrew is the biggest hypocrite out there,” Callaghan said.

Mulgrew’s position on unionized professional staffers is well-known, but without any special knowledge of the situation I’m suspicious of Callaghan’s claims. Also, I think the NYC newspapers are taking the wrong angle.

What’s hypocritical about the situation is not that UFT fired Callaghan, but that union officials quickly pooh-poohed any allegation that he was fired for union activity.

It’s funny how UFT generated so much skepticism about such claims in only three weeks’ time.

In what is becoming a perennial event, the professional employees of the Ohio Education Association authorized a strike if a contract settlement is not reached prior to September 1.

Bargaining between OEA employees and managers has been contentious for many years, resulting in a strike in 1997, and last-minute settlements in 2006 and 2009.

The support staff union is also bargaining with OEA, though it has not taken a strike authorization vote (to my knowledge). If OEA’s UniServ directors and other professionals strike, however, it is extremely unlikely the support staff will cross the picket line.

August 11 Washington Post:

“We can’t stand by and do nothing while pink slips are given to the men and women who educate our children and keep our communities safe,” Obama said at a Rose Garden news conference, flanked by Education Secretary Arne Duncan and two public school teachers.

August 10 Washington Post:

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Monday that the Pentagon will cut thousands of jobs, including a substantial chunk of its private contractors and a major military command based in Norfolk, as part of an ongoing effort to streamline its operations and to stave off political pressure to slash defense spending in the years ahead.

Gates said he will recommend that President Obama dismantle the U.S. Joint Forces Command, which employs about 2,800 military and civilian personnel as well as 3,300 contractors, most of them in southeastern Virginia. He also said he will terminate two other Pentagon agencies, impose a 10 percent cut in intelligence advisory contracts and slim down what he called a “top-heavy hierarchy” by thinning the ranks of admirals and generals by at least 50 positions….

“The culture of endless money that has taken hold must be replaced by a culture of savings and restraint,” [Gates] said….

The Defense Business Board, an advisory group at the Pentagon, recommended to Gates last month that he shutter the Joint Forces Command. It also urged the Defense Department to shed more than 100,000 civilian jobs overall, returning its workforce to the size it was in 2003, when it numbered about 650,000.

Hawaii:

“The state budget passed by the Hawaii state legislature is in balance. It does not contemplate any layoffs; it does not contemplate any closures of schools.”

California:

“We’re a little nervous. It says it has to be used for salaries — but is that reinstating existing salaries or only for bringing people back? In districts like Ceres, where we took pay cuts instead of laying off people, are we going to be penalized?”

Arkansas:

“I haven’t seen any guidance yet. When I first heard about it, it was my understanding that we would not be penalized because we have a balanced budget and had not had to make those cuts.”

New Jersey:

“We took the freeze because the majority of employees felt saving the jobs was more important that getting a raise. But it would be nice if we could give this back to our members.”

Click here to read:

1) The Eternal Stimulus

2) Alaska, Arizona and Arkansas District Spending Tables Posted

3) Last Week’s Intercepts

4) Quotes of the Week

NPR takes a look at the edujobs bill:

I’ve had a very busy week, so it’s nice to know I don’t have to generate any original reporting or insight on a beautiful Friday in northern California. I can just direct you to this lovely tale, courtesy of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association.

The story has already gone viral, but you’ll want to read the penultimate paragraph if you want your knickers really twisted.

Have a great weekend, everyone!