Seattle teachers striking

[orangeblossom]

Sept 9, 2015 21:25:19 GMT -5 darthnbjenni said:

Sept 9, 2015 21:21:50 GMT -5 @barefootbarista said:

It's not even legal for us to try and form a union.

Yep, SC teacher here. We're a right to work state. I could be terminated for anything - a picture of beer on facebook that a parent found (not even on her page) did one of my colleagues in over our morality clause.

That's crazy, and sounds like the parent had an axe to grind with that teacher, for her to even bring it to the attention of folks, and it wasn't even on her page.  I mean, that is ridiculous.  Yes, people should have their settings locked down, but come on. 

I hope the nosy nelly/ned is proud of themselves.

[katfco]

How are right to work states constitutional? How is that not a direct violation of "freedom to peaceably assemble and petition the government"? That's the basic function of what unions do.

[Cicero]

Sept 10, 2015 5:24:58 GMT -5 katfco said:

How are right to work states constitutional? How is that not a direct violation of "freedom to peaceably assemble and petition the government"? That's the basic function of what unions do.

Right to work means that you can't be forced to join a union in order to be employed somewhere.  It is a different issue than whether or not public employees have the right to unionize.  The National Labor Relations Act, which protects the right to unionize in the workplace and sets forth the rules by which employers and unions must abide doesn't apply to government employees. 

[katfco]

Sept 10, 2015 13:28:45 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Sept 10, 2015 5:24:58 GMT -5 katfco said:

How are right to work states constitutional? How is that not a direct violation of "freedom to peaceably assemble and petition the government"? That's the basic function of what unions do.

Right to work means that you can't be forced to join a union in order to be employed somewhere.  It is a different issue than whether or not public employees have the right to unionize.  The National Labor Relations Act, which protects the right to unionize in the workplace and sets forth the rules by which employers and unions must abide doesn't apply to government employees. 

Okay, but how are state laws prohibiting unions constitutional? Is it just because they're not allowed to strike, so it takes away their power? 

[mags]

NJ is also a unionized state, but not allowed to strike. If we did you know Christie would have us all fired in the blink of an eye.
Everyone knows how much he loves the teachers union.

[Cicero]

Sept 10, 2015 17:41:41 GMT -5 katfco said:

Sept 10, 2015 13:28:45 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Right to work means that you can't be forced to join a union in order to be employed somewhere.  It is a different issue than whether or not public employees have the right to unionize.  The National Labor Relations Act, which protects the right to unionize in the workplace and sets forth the rules by which employers and unions must abide doesn't apply to government employees. 

Okay, but how are state laws prohibiting unions constitutional? Is it just because they're not allowed to strike, so it takes away their power? 

Public unions really aren't my area of expertise. I'm not really sure how the laws are structured or how they operate. I do know that where they exist they are far more employer (government) friendly than the ones that govern the same conduct in the private sector.

Collective bargaining is not a constitutionally protected right. There is nothing in the 1st amedment that would require anyone to recognize a union as the legitimate representative to be negotiating employment contracts for everyone theyrepresent or to make someone actually sit down and talk to them even if they were to recognize that legitimacy--which is why the NLRA was passed.

[cherryvalance]

Sept 10, 2015 18:43:09 GMT -5 mags said:

NJ is also a unionized state, but not allowed to strike. If we did you know Christie would have us all fired in the blink of an eye.
Everyone knows how much he loves the teachers union.

Plus, pre-Christie a bunch of teachers were thrown in jail for striking and not complying with the order to return to work.  Christie would be ALLLL over that. 

[ttt]

Sept 10, 2015 19:12:39 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Sept 10, 2015 17:41:41 GMT -5 katfco said:

Okay, but how are state laws prohibiting unions constitutional? Is it just because they're not allowed to strike, so it takes away their power? 

Public unions really aren't my area of expertise. I'm not really sure how the laws are structured or how they operate. I do know that where they exist they are far more employer (government) friendly than the ones that govern the same conduct in the private sector.

Collective bargaining is not a constitutionally protected right. There is nothing in the 1st amedment that would require anyone to recognize a union as the legitimate representative to be negotiating employment contracts for everyone theyrepresent or to make someone actually sit down and talk to them even if they were to recognize that legitimacy--which is why the NLRA was passed.

Isn't freedom of association a constitutional right, though?

[Cicero]

Sept 10, 2015 20:20:50 GMT -5 ttt said:

Sept 10, 2015 19:12:39 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Public unions really aren't my area of expertise. I'm not really sure how the laws are structured or how they operate. I do know that where they exist they are far more employer (government) friendly than the ones that govern the same conduct in the private sector.

Collective bargaining is not a constitutionally protected right. There is nothing in the 1st amedment that would require anyone to recognize a union as the legitimate representative to be negotiating employment contracts for everyone theyrepresent or to make someone actually sit down and talk to them even if they were to recognize that legitimacy--which is why the NLRA was passed.

Isn't freedom of association a constitutional right, though?

AFAIK there is no caselaw extending freedom of assembly to collective bargaining.

[mags]

Sept 10, 2015 19:43:26 GMT -5 cherryvalance said:

Sept 10, 2015 18:43:09 GMT -5 mags said:

NJ is also a unionized state, but not allowed to strike. If we did you know Christie would have us all fired in the blink of an eye.
Everyone knows how much he loves the teachers union.

Plus, pre-Christie a bunch of teachers were thrown in jail for striking and not complying with the order to return to work.  Christie would be ALLLL over that. 

My district was one of the few who went on strike after it was against the law, and many people went to jail.
I'd think those days are gone unfortunately

[tres3]

Sept 9, 2015 19:15:52 GMT -5 joenali said:

Sept 9, 2015 18:44:50 GMT -5 TamiTaylor said:

I'm envious of states where teachers can strike. We just have to take the shit down here in TX. And trust, there's a lot of shit thrown our way.

Are you unionized?

our teachers can't "unionize" they can merely associate. The TEA is an association not a union in TN

[tres3]

Sept 10, 2015 20:20:50 GMT -5 ttt said:

Sept 10, 2015 19:12:39 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Public unions really aren't my area of expertise. I'm not really sure how the laws are structured or how they operate. I do know that where they exist they are far more employer (government) friendly than the ones that govern the same conduct in the private sector.

Collective bargaining is not a constitutionally protected right. There is nothing in the 1st amedment that would require anyone to recognize a union as the legitimate representative to be negotiating employment contracts for everyone theyrepresent or to make someone actually sit down and talk to them even if they were to recognize that legitimacy--which is why the NLRA was passed.

Isn't freedom of association a constitutional right, though?

you would think but I'm currently a plaintiff in a Federal case against the state of TN for violating my 1A rights of association and I'm not a teacher, merely a parent who cares about our schools.