My union voted to strike tonight

[jssymom14]

Oh man! That is crazy! Has your union ever done that since you started teaching?

[jssymom14]

We had some nasty negotiations a few years ago that was close to going to state court but luckily they came to an agreement. The worst part is our school board is half former teachers who should understand the need to increase pay, benefits, etc but since they didn't have it when they taught, why should we?

[awick14]

The school district here went on strike for the last 2 weeks of school and no agreement has been met either. I have no idea what will happen come sept. (School here starts sept 2nd.)

[amberlyrose]

Jul 31, 2014 22:40:37 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

That sucks. I am envious that you even have the option to be in a union and go on strike. We teachers in TX can't even join a union let alone strike. TX education is seriously fucked up.

Man, I'm sorry. TX doesn't have anything for you guys??

The NEA convention was in Denver earlier this month. My mom, aunt, uncles, and grandma were all school delegates at some point, so it made me proud.

[cville]

[Yankees21]

I'm sorry How stressful.

[hippygirl]

Jul 31, 2014 22:38:56 GMT -5 jssymom14 said:

We had some nasty negotiations a few years ago that was close to going to state court but luckily they came to an agreement. The worst part is our school board is half former teachers who should understand the need to increase pay, benefits, etc but since they didn't have it when they taught, why should we?

Our district is always a bit shady in their negotiations with our  union.

[bohemianmango]

Sorry, that sucks. What awful timing! Hopefully, the community supports the teachers and students and speaks up to help sway the board in your favor.

[cinnamoncox]

I hope you don't strike
Dh struck two years ago for two weeks it sucked!
Maybe again next year.
I wish you well, it's so nerve wracking, the days and weeks leading up to it.

[leeluu]

Wow, it sounds like this situation is certainly "strike worthy", as you just can't let the board get away with all these cuts.

[The Foozzler]

Saw this on the app...

Just curious what state do you teach in? I am in CT and it is illegal for teachers to strike. I am happy about that not being an option. It has to be so stressful on everyone involved.

I am VP of my local and did our last contract negotiations. We go to binding arbitration if an agreement can't be reached. Both sides have to accept the outcome of arbitration.

[Jalapeñomel]

I'm new to all this union stuff: what are the implications if you do strike?

[Monica Geller]

Oh no! I'm so sorry. We were in the verge of a strike a couple years ago and it was the worst. I can't imagine actually voting yes.

[cinnamoncox]

Aug 1, 2014 7:36:28 GMT -5 bricco said:

Aug 1, 2014 7:17:21 GMT -5 The Foozzler said:

Saw this on the app...

Just curious what state do you teach in? I am in CT and it is illegal for teachers to strike. I am happy about that not being an option. It has to be so stressful on everyone involved.

I am VP of my local and did our last contract negotiations. We go to binding arbitration if an agreement can't be reached. Both sides have to accept the outcome of arbitration.

Illinois.  I think it's actually really awful when it's illegal for teachers to strike.  I don't want to strike, but I am so glad that it is an option for us.  I am hopeful we'll be able to come up with a fair settlement soon.  We MIGHT not even have to miss any school since we decided so early.  Fingers crossed.

Yeah, no one ever wants a strike, but it's part of the deal. It sucks for everyone but it unfortunately comes to it sometimes.
I truly hope they come to an acceptable agreement. It is incredibly stressful.

[katb]

In MD we can't strike either. We have done "Work to Rule" a few times while I was teaching but that was even hard to get some teachers to go along with because of the work load. Work to Rule is when we work exactly what our contract requires - no staying a moment beyond or after to grade, meetings, etc. No extra activities (High school can because those coaches/sponsors get paid for those) - you get the idea. It usually upset the parents enough to bug the board enough to get something done.

Good luck, I hope you guys get what you deserve and don't have to strike

[Deleted]

So sorry. H and I both work for the same union company so I understand the stress of an impending strike (and loss of both incomes can cause). Hopefully you reach and agreement, we vote to strike almost every contract and there hasn't actually been one since '86.

[emoflamingo]

Yuck. I work closely with the union here and so far, we haven't had any boards go batshit insane, which is great since they took away due process in April. It sure has energized the focus of all the teachers for the election year though!