The Morning Call's Arelene Martinez writes today about preperations being made in anticipation of a Teachers' Strike in Nazareth (read the article here).
Most surprising to me is the announcement that teachers are changing plans and holding off on work until it becomes clear whether or not there will be a strike. It doesn't say they are all doing this and it is only based on what students are saying is happening, but it does seem that business as usual should be conducted until a change occurs. If there is a strike they will have lost another week in the classroom as a result of this.
Have you had to make alternative preperations to accomodate children being home? Has it been difficult or simply frustrating? Is anyone as surprised as I am that so little has been said by anyone at any point from the start of negotiations forward regarding what anyone is offering or refusing?
2 comments:
I have heard lots of (conflicting) information on the issues and whether or not there will even be a strike.
My wife said that during the Shafer open house meeting, Principal Mudlock sounded pessimistic that anything would get done by 9/25 and to be prepared for a strike.
I was at the board meeting on Monday and Sup. Lesky ended the meeting by saying there was a bargaining session scheduled for 9/21 (nothing like waiting until the last day!!) and that the mediator had put both sides "to task" to come to an agreement. Lesky then said he was "hopeful" that a resolution would be reached on 9/21.
As for the issues, I've heard a couple things at the bus stop in the morning. I was told that the teachers were being offered a raise of 1.5%/yr and that they were comparing this to the 11% raise that Lesky got recently and were understandably upset. However, another person told me that the teachers were looking for 4-4.5% raise and no increase in their health care premiums. I suspect that the HC premiums are a major sticking point.
Thursday's coming quickly.. If there's no resolution, then Monday's board meeting will not the most cordial place to be.
Thursday Sept, 21 in the Express Times is an well written letter to the editor. I agree that if these teachers are so miserable working as teachers in this district, move on! I keep hearing that everyone has the best interst of kids at hand. I do not think this is possible when the teachers, administration and the school board are on the eve of a strike. The only ones that are truely lossing in this battle are the students!!!
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