For the first time in more than 10 years, teachers in the Pulaski County Special School District could go on strike.
The Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers has made the announcement while suing the state to reinstate its contracts, saying the courts are going too slow.
The last time teachers in the district acted in this manner was 1996, and after an 8-day strike, the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers was ordered back to school by a federal judge.
Now the union isn't fighting for a raise, but for its life.
Dismissed and bogged down in court, the union issued a statement saying:
"We have been patient, but our patience is wearing thin."
Union leadership voted unanimously Tuesday to give job action authority to acting president Brenda Robinson.
But are teachers really ready to strike?
Superintendent Jerry Guess doesn't think so, but if teachers walk, he says the district is ready.
It's the same debate, but the players have changed, and things could get a little scary.
The union is suing the district and State Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell.
That case is currently in Pulaski Circuit Court, where the judge is considering a motion to dismiss based on the state's claim of sovereign immunity.
The Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers has made the announcement while suing the state to reinstate its contracts, saying the courts are going too slow.
The last time teachers in the district acted in this manner was 1996, and after an 8-day strike, the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers was ordered back to school by a federal judge.
Now the union isn't fighting for a raise, but for its life.
Dismissed and bogged down in court, the union issued a statement saying:
"We have been patient, but our patience is wearing thin."
Union leadership voted unanimously Tuesday to give job action authority to acting president Brenda Robinson.
But are teachers really ready to strike?
Superintendent Jerry Guess doesn't think so, but if teachers walk, he says the district is ready.
It's the same debate, but the players have changed, and things could get a little scary.
The union is suing the district and State Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell.
That case is currently in Pulaski Circuit Court, where the judge is considering a motion to dismiss based on the state's claim of sovereign immunity.
Comments
One thing upsetting teachers is the atrocious working conditions we are suffering under, without our contract and union being recognized. Another is a huge pay disparity between us and administrators. The highest salary for teachers on our salary schedule (17 years' experience, plus a doctorate) is $68,814 (most earn less), while Dr. Guess collects over 3 times as much, $215,000 (neither figure includes benefits). He claimed "fiscal distress," cut our pay, but took no pay cut himself -- he collects the same this year as he did last year. If you agree that it is blatantly unfair for someone who teaches no one, yet works for a public school district, to be paid more than three times as much as our most-qualified teacher, please sign this petition -- http://www.change.org/petitions/the-c-a-p-education-reform-proposal-save-america-s-schools-by-cutting-administrators-pay-with-federal-legislation -- and please support PACT's future actions, whatever they may be. All we want is for our legally-binding contract and legally-constituted union to be recognized. That is not unreasonable. We are not requesting raises -- only fair and legal treatment.
Robert A.
October 23, 2012 at 5:20 am
