Strike
Negotiations went on into the wee hours of the night to no avail. At 3AM this morning, my union gave notice to the school board of its intention to call for a stop work action 6:30 AM, Friday, September 8th, 2006.
In Pennsylvania, teachers are permitted to strike only as long as the students within their district will be able to go to school 180 days, ending June 30th. Essentially, you start at 6/30/07 and count backwards 180 days, leaving out any holidays.
If we do that - bare bones - we could stay out until the week of Thanksgiving. It would certainly make our point, but it would be a looooong time without pay and benefits. That also means we would be working without a break until 6/30/07, which would drive us all insane.
Alternatives would be settling earlier, and having days off in between. All sorts of things could happen, of course. I haven't a clue as to what will occur, only that people are extremely angry and upset right now. I'm simply resigned, and not all that surprised. Even though the potential for greatness remains within the district, the smell of perceived power drives some wild with greed, and the lust to wield it over others is thick and heavy.
In Pennsylvania, teachers are permitted to strike only as long as the students within their district will be able to go to school 180 days, ending June 30th. Essentially, you start at 6/30/07 and count backwards 180 days, leaving out any holidays.
If we do that - bare bones - we could stay out until the week of Thanksgiving. It would certainly make our point, but it would be a looooong time without pay and benefits. That also means we would be working without a break until 6/30/07, which would drive us all insane.
Alternatives would be settling earlier, and having days off in between. All sorts of things could happen, of course. I haven't a clue as to what will occur, only that people are extremely angry and upset right now. I'm simply resigned, and not all that surprised. Even though the potential for greatness remains within the district, the smell of perceived power drives some wild with greed, and the lust to wield it over others is thick and heavy.