WTU rallies for new contract

[Anonymous]

How does WTU have meaningful negotiations with a DCPS leadership team whose members all work from home? Seriously. In-person bargaining does matter at some point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are absolutely evil to be threatening to strike.

Could you provide some examples of other ways you would like them to advocate for a new contract?

Pretty much any way except that? But sure, you can keep on asserting that teacher’s unions can do whatever they want to advance their interests, and that the interests of children are irrelevant to the union. And if you say that, I will assert that the union is evil because they are using their power to hurt children. Even the threat of hurting children is unconscionable. The sad part is, most DC parents would actually support teachers getting a good contract - but when you make clear you don’t GAF about hurting kids, you lose your natural allies.

Would you mind building on your first sentence? What are some other ways?

NP but teachers could work to the contract:
Only at school during contracted hours (no after school extra help, club meetings, etc.)
Only cover classes under the contractual way (I don’t remember what it is but there’s something where you don’t have to give up your planning every day for class coverage)
Don’t write any college recommendation or scholarship recommendation letters because it’s not in the contract (HS mostly, and this one most teachers won’t actually do but it’s effective)

Guess what? Teachers aren’t going to strike. You know it, and so do we. Also, your ideas are great. If I did any of them my Impact rating would be abysmally low. That’s right, part of our evaluation is based on what we do outside of our contracted requirements. How fair is that?

Seems pretty sensible to me. I am a public servant, and we all understand that our contract is the bare minimum. If we work to that standard, we meet expectations. If we do more, that is how we achieve exceeds expectations or outstanding.

Working to the contract DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS. I thought that was clear.

+1

No, I asked if you are fired. I know that was clear.

Can a parent please share their perspective because I’m legit curious which you’d prefer:

Option A: your emails are not replied too, your kid comes home every day complaining that they learned nothing, kid states that their class had 50+ kids bc a teacher was out and there was no coverage, there’s no time to ever have a “quick” five minute chat at dismissal.

OR

Option B; for 2-3 days, your kid has to stay home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are absolutely evil to be threatening to strike.

Could you provide some examples of other ways you would like them to advocate for a new contract?

Pretty much any way except that? But sure, you can keep on asserting that teacher’s unions can do whatever they want to advance their interests, and that the interests of children are irrelevant to the union. And if you say that, I will assert that the union is evil because they are using their power to hurt children. Even the threat of hurting children is unconscionable. The sad part is, most DC parents would actually support teachers getting a good contract - but when you make clear you don’t GAF about hurting kids, you lose your natural allies.

Would you mind building on your first sentence? What are some other ways?

NP but teachers could work to the contract:
Only at school during contracted hours (no after school extra help, club meetings, etc.)
Only cover classes under the contractual way (I don’t remember what it is but there’s something where you don’t have to give up your planning every day for class coverage)
Don’t write any college recommendation or scholarship recommendation letters because it’s not in the contract (HS mostly, and this one most teachers won’t actually do but it’s effective)

Guess what? Teachers aren’t going to strike. You know it, and so do we. Also, your ideas are great. If I did any of them my Impact rating would be abysmally low. That’s right, part of our evaluation is based on what we do outside of our contracted requirements. How fair is that?

Seems pretty sensible to me. I am a public servant, and we all understand that our contract is the bare minimum. If we work to that standard, we meet expectations. If we do more, that is how we achieve exceeds expectations or outstanding.

Working to the contract DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS. I thought that was clear.

+1

No, I asked if you are fired. I know that was clear.

Can a parent please share their perspective because I’m legit curious which you’d prefer:

Option A: your emails are not replied too, your kid comes home every day complaining that they learned nothing, kid states that their class had 50+ kids bc a teacher was out and there was no coverage, there’s no time to ever have a “quick” five minute chat at dismissal.

OR

Option B; for 2-3 days, your kid has to stay home

Please tell us how the Option A scenario relates to the asks you are making as part of the new contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are absolutely evil to be threatening to strike.

Could you provide some examples of other ways you would like them to advocate for a new contract?

Pretty much any way except that? But sure, you can keep on asserting that teacher’s unions can do whatever they want to advance their interests, and that the interests of children are irrelevant to the union. And if you say that, I will assert that the union is evil because they are using their power to hurt children. Even the threat of hurting children is unconscionable. The sad part is, most DC parents would actually support teachers getting a good contract - but when you make clear you don’t GAF about hurting kids, you lose your natural allies.

Would you mind building on your first sentence? What are some other ways?

NP but teachers could work to the contract:
Only at school during contracted hours (no after school extra help, club meetings, etc.)
Only cover classes under the contractual way (I don’t remember what it is but there’s something where you don’t have to give up your planning every day for class coverage)
Don’t write any college recommendation or scholarship recommendation letters because it’s not in the contract (HS mostly, and this one most teachers won’t actually do but it’s effective)

Guess what? Teachers aren’t going to strike. You know it, and so do we. Also, your ideas are great. If I did any of them my Impact rating would be abysmally low. That’s right, part of our evaluation is based on what we do outside of our contracted requirements. How fair is that?

Seems pretty sensible to me. I am a public servant, and we all understand that our contract is the bare minimum. If we work to that standard, we meet expectations. If we do more, that is how we achieve exceeds expectations or outstanding.

Working to the contract DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS. I thought that was clear.

+1

No, I asked if you are fired. I know that was clear.

Can a parent please share their perspective because I’m legit curious which you’d prefer:

Option A: your emails are not replied too, your kid comes home every day complaining that they learned nothing, kid states that their class had 50+ kids bc a teacher was out and there was no coverage, there’s no time to ever have a “quick” five minute chat at dismissal.

OR

Option B; for 2-3 days, your kid has to stay home

I'll take B because I'd find a tutor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are absolutely evil to be threatening to strike.

Could you provide some examples of other ways you would like them to advocate for a new contract?

Pretty much any way except that? But sure, you can keep on asserting that teacher’s unions can do whatever they want to advance their interests, and that the interests of children are irrelevant to the union. And if you say that, I will assert that the union is evil because they are using their power to hurt children. Even the threat of hurting children is unconscionable. The sad part is, most DC parents would actually support teachers getting a good contract - but when you make clear you don’t GAF about hurting kids, you lose your natural allies.

Would you mind building on your first sentence? What are some other ways?

NP but teachers could work to the contract:
Only at school during contracted hours (no after school extra help, club meetings, etc.)
Only cover classes under the contractual way (I don’t remember what it is but there’s something where you don’t have to give up your planning every day for class coverage)
Don’t write any college recommendation or scholarship recommendation letters because it’s not in the contract (HS mostly, and this one most teachers won’t actually do but it’s effective)

Guess what? Teachers aren’t going to strike. You know it, and so do we. Also, your ideas are great. If I did any of them my Impact rating would be abysmally low. That’s right, part of our evaluation is based on what we do outside of our contracted requirements. How fair is that?

Seems pretty sensible to me. I am a public servant, and we all understand that our contract is the bare minimum. If we work to that standard, we meet expectations. If we do more, that is how we achieve exceeds expectations or outstanding.

Working to the contract DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS. I thought that was clear.

+1

No, I asked if you are fired. I know that was clear.

Can a parent please share their perspective because I’m legit curious which you’d prefer:

Option A: your emails are not replied too, your kid comes home every day complaining that they learned nothing, kid states that their class had 50+ kids bc a teacher was out and there was no coverage, there’s no time to ever have a “quick” five minute chat at dismissal.

OR

Option B; for 2-3 days, your kid has to stay home

Please tell us how the Option A scenario relates to the asks you are making as part of the new contract.

It’s what will happen if we work to rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All teacher's unions have enormous power now with teachers quitting, retiring, etc. I suspect a deal will get done fairly quickly. One side has all the leverage and it's not even close.

Then why no contract after over 3 years? If they have ‘enormous’ power.

Please, I encourage you to stop spreading misinformation. It only hurts us and ultimately the kids pay the price as they have been. And yes, covid was a part of that and the learning loss. I volunteered to go back in Jan 2021 but even still I understand the hurt parents feel for their babies’ loss.

But we can only move forward and we (teachers) need a better evaluation system, title 1 schools especially need more resources, we need to figure out how we can stop chronic absences and tardies, and yes teachers do need a raise. I know we are paid ‘well’ but I want to continue living in DC, I support better wages for literally almost everyone.

This is the insidious framing that teachers often employ, and it's often nonsense. They suggest that anything that hurts teachers will inevitably hurt students. In reality, the teachers union is looking out for the interests of teachers (as it should - this is not a criticism, that is the function of the union). If it also helps the kids, great. But that's serendipitous, not the purpose of the union's position. But you can't have a conversation with a teacher without being told "what's good for teachers is good for students." That's a myth.

Oh? So keeping great teachers doesn’t help students?
Attracting people to DCPS doesn’t help?

Because if you did not know the WTU includes SLPs, OTs, social workers, etc.

What is good for teachers is indeed related to students besides maybe pay. And the purpose of the union is connected to students because WE (teachers) connect it to them.

For example class size doesn’t impact students?
Caseload size?
If the teacher is absent having a sub in place?
Planning time so students can engage in well thought out lessons?
Actually being paid for after school time so students can enjoy more clubs?

you lost this argument when you kept schools closed for 1.5 yrs. We told you then that the consequences would be a massive loss of parent support for the union in the future. well, here we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are absolutely evil to be threatening to strike.

Could you provide some examples of other ways you would like them to advocate for a new contract?

Pretty much any way except that? But sure, you can keep on asserting that teacher’s unions can do whatever they want to advance their interests, and that the interests of children are irrelevant to the union. And if you say that, I will assert that the union is evil because they are using their power to hurt children. Even the threat of hurting children is unconscionable. The sad part is, most DC parents would actually support teachers getting a good contract - but when you make clear you don’t GAF about hurting kids, you lose your natural allies.

Would you mind building on your first sentence? What are some other ways?

NP but teachers could work to the contract:
Only at school during contracted hours (no after school extra help, club meetings, etc.)
Only cover classes under the contractual way (I don’t remember what it is but there’s something where you don’t have to give up your planning every day for class coverage)
Don’t write any college recommendation or scholarship recommendation letters because it’s not in the contract (HS mostly, and this one most teachers won’t actually do but it’s effective)

Guess what? Teachers aren’t going to strike. You know it, and so do we. Also, your ideas are great. If I did any of them my Impact rating would be abysmally low. That’s right, part of our evaluation is based on what we do outside of our contracted requirements. How fair is that?

Seems pretty sensible to me. I am a public servant, and we all understand that our contract is the bare minimum. If we work to that standard, we meet expectations. If we do more, that is how we achieve exceeds expectations or outstanding.

Working to the contract DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS. I thought that was clear.

+1

No, I asked if you are fired. I know that was clear.

Can a parent please share their perspective because I’m legit curious which you’d prefer:

Option A: your emails are not replied too, your kid comes home every day complaining that they learned nothing, kid states that their class had 50+ kids bc a teacher was out and there was no coverage, there’s no time to ever have a “quick” five minute chat at dismissal.

OR

Option B; for 2-3 days, your kid has to stay home

Option A. Because I don’t believe it will be 2-3 days, and school closures are unacceptable full stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are absolutely evil to be threatening to strike.

Could you provide some examples of other ways you would like them to advocate for a new contract?

Pretty much any way except that? But sure, you can keep on asserting that teacher’s unions can do whatever they want to advance their interests, and that the interests of children are irrelevant to the union. And if you say that, I will assert that the union is evil because they are using their power to hurt children. Even the threat of hurting children is unconscionable. The sad part is, most DC parents would actually support teachers getting a good contract - but when you make clear you don’t GAF about hurting kids, you lose your natural allies.

Would you mind building on your first sentence? What are some other ways?

NP but teachers could work to the contract:
Only at school during contracted hours (no after school extra help, club meetings, etc.)
Only cover classes under the contractual way (I don’t remember what it is but there’s something where you don’t have to give up your planning every day for class coverage)
Don’t write any college recommendation or scholarship recommendation letters because it’s not in the contract (HS mostly, and this one most teachers won’t actually do but it’s effective)

Guess what? Teachers aren’t going to strike. You know it, and so do we. Also, your ideas are great. If I did any of them my Impact rating would be abysmally low. That’s right, part of our evaluation is based on what we do outside of our contracted requirements. How fair is that?

Seems pretty sensible to me. I am a public servant, and we all understand that our contract is the bare minimum. If we work to that standard, we meet expectations. If we do more, that is how we achieve exceeds expectations or outstanding.

Working to the contract DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS. I thought that was clear.

+1

No, I asked if you are fired. I know that was clear.

Can a parent please share their perspective because I’m legit curious which you’d prefer:

Option A: your emails are not replied too, your kid comes home every day complaining that they learned nothing, kid states that their class had 50+ kids bc a teacher was out and there was no coverage, there’s no time to ever have a “quick” five minute chat at dismissal.

OR

Option B; for 2-3 days, your kid has to stay home

Option A. Because I don’t believe it will be 2-3 days, and school closures are unacceptable full stop.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are absolutely evil to be threatening to strike.

Could you provide some examples of other ways you would like them to advocate for a new contract?

Pretty much any way except that? But sure, you can keep on asserting that teacher’s unions can do whatever they want to advance their interests, and that the interests of children are irrelevant to the union. And if you say that, I will assert that the union is evil because they are using their power to hurt children. Even the threat of hurting children is unconscionable. The sad part is, most DC parents would actually support teachers getting a good contract - but when you make clear you don’t GAF about hurting kids, you lose your natural allies.

Would you mind building on your first sentence? What are some other ways?

NP but teachers could work to the contract:
Only at school during contracted hours (no after school extra help, club meetings, etc.)
Only cover classes under the contractual way (I don’t remember what it is but there’s something where you don’t have to give up your planning every day for class coverage)
Don’t write any college recommendation or scholarship recommendation letters because it’s not in the contract (HS mostly, and this one most teachers won’t actually do but it’s effective)

Guess what? Teachers aren’t going to strike. You know it, and so do we. Also, your ideas are great. If I did any of them my Impact rating would be abysmally low. That’s right, part of our evaluation is based on what we do outside of our contracted requirements. How fair is that?

Seems pretty sensible to me. I am a public servant, and we all understand that our contract is the bare minimum. If we work to that standard, we meet expectations. If we do more, that is how we achieve exceeds expectations or outstanding.

Working to the contract DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS. I thought that was clear.

+1

No, I asked if you are fired. I know that was clear.

Can a parent please share their perspective because I’m legit curious which you’d prefer:

Option A: your emails are not replied too, your kid comes home every day complaining that they learned nothing, kid states that their class had 50+ kids bc a teacher was out and there was no coverage, there’s no time to ever have a “quick” five minute chat at dismissal.

OR

Option B; for 2-3 days, your kid has to stay home

Pretty sure working to rule would still require you to actually teach, so I don't see how the kid would "learn nothing." The thing about a teacher being out and no coverage already happens. I'd be fine if the teacher did not reply to my emails or talk to me during dismissal as part of an organized union effort.

And at least with the above, I don't have to take off work or scramble for childcare last minute. Is it ideal? No. But it would successfully demonstrate to both Bowser and parents how much teachers go above and beyond and therefore deserve to get what they are asking for (or at least some of it).

A strike screws me over AND my kid doesn't learn anything AND makes me think things like "maybe we should just bail for a charter" or "well if my career is screwed anyway because we can't rely on schools to stay open, maybe I'll just quit and homeschool." Strikes are universally unpopular among parents except in situations where the school district is failing to provide even minimally acceptable conditions for teachers and students (i.e. I have seen strikes work in places where the schools are in such disrepair that it is not safe or healthy for kids to attend). DCPS has its problems, but it's not at that level, and the average DCPS parent is better off with their kids in school under non-ideal circumstances than having the teachers strike.

This should really not be surprising to teachers or the union. Parents depend on school. We don't need it to be perfect and most of us are willing to work with you to make it better when we can. But pulling the rug out from under us just makes us want to leave the district, it doesn't incentivize me to make it better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All teacher's unions have enormous power now with teachers quitting, retiring, etc. I suspect a deal will get done fairly quickly. One side has all the leverage and it's not even close.

Then why no contract after over 3 years? If they have ‘enormous’ power.

Please, I encourage you to stop spreading misinformation. It only hurts us and ultimately the kids pay the price as they have been. And yes, covid was a part of that and the learning loss. I volunteered to go back in Jan 2021 but even still I understand the hurt parents feel for their babies’ loss.

But we can only move forward and we (teachers) need a better evaluation system, title 1 schools especially need more resources, we need to figure out how we can stop chronic absences and tardies, and yes teachers do need a raise. I know we are paid ‘well’ but I want to continue living in DC, I support better wages for literally almost everyone.

This is the insidious framing that teachers often employ, and it's often nonsense. They suggest that anything that hurts teachers will inevitably hurt students. In reality, the teachers union is looking out for the interests of teachers (as it should - this is not a criticism, that is the function of the union). If it also helps the kids, great. But that's serendipitous, not the purpose of the union's position. But you can't have a conversation with a teacher without being told "what's good for teachers is good for students." That's a myth.

Oh? So keeping great teachers doesn’t help students?
Attracting people to DCPS doesn’t help?

Because if you did not know the WTU includes SLPs, OTs, social workers, etc.

What is good for teachers is indeed related to students besides maybe pay. And the purpose of the union is connected to students because WE (teachers) connect it to them.

For example class size doesn’t impact students?
Caseload size?
If the teacher is absent having a sub in place?
Planning time so students can engage in well thought out lessons?
Actually being paid for after school time so students can enjoy more clubs?

you lost this argument when you kept schools closed for 1.5 yrs. We told you then that the consequences would be a massive loss of parent support for the union in the future. well, here we are.

It's the single worst thing that could have happened. Families who had the resources to pivot and educate kids at home or got them into privates for that time learned, hey, turns out I don't NEED schools and teachers as much as I though I did. And families who struggled for a year and a half just to function without in person school lost trust with teachers and schools.

I think the union and individual teachers see the small minority of very vocal parents who will back the union no matter what and fully supported closures and think they have the backing of families. They don't. For us it's a tenuous dance where I like our individual teachers but am still recovering from what 18 months of school closures meant for a our family, and if we start the year with a teacher strike, I really am done -- charter or moving, but no more DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am new to DCPS (first year was last year) so new this particular issue. Has Bowser not been willing to sit at the table because their demands have been un-meetable?

This is how contract negotiations have happened for years. Contract expires, lots of negotiation but no one actually knows what the demands are because it’s all behind closed doors, eventually a contract is agreed to with not much change except a pay increase and teachers get back pay for the years the contract was expired.

I've been in DCPS 15 years. I've had more years of service without a current contract than with. I got back twice. Michelle gave exactly what was owed. Sadly the last time we got about $4,000 back pay as a one time pay off when I should have got $15,000. I'm not a big union teacher. To all the parents undecided just think about which side benefits with No new contract? That's where the issue is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All teacher's unions have enormous power now with teachers quitting, retiring, etc. I suspect a deal will get done fairly quickly. One side has all the leverage and it's not even close.

Then why no contract after over 3 years? If they have ‘enormous’ power.

Please, I encourage you to stop spreading misinformation. It only hurts us and ultimately the kids pay the price as they have been. And yes, covid was a part of that and the learning loss. I volunteered to go back in Jan 2021 but even still I understand the hurt parents feel for their babies’ loss.

But we can only move forward and we (teachers) need a better evaluation system, title 1 schools especially need more resources, we need to figure out how we can stop chronic absences and tardies, and yes teachers do need a raise. I know we are paid ‘well’ but I want to continue living in DC, I support better wages for literally almost everyone.

This is the insidious framing that teachers often employ, and it's often nonsense. They suggest that anything that hurts teachers will inevitably hurt students. In reality, the teachers union is looking out for the interests of teachers (as it should - this is not a criticism, that is the function of the union). If it also helps the kids, great. But that's serendipitous, not the purpose of the union's position. But you can't have a conversation with a teacher without being told "what's good for teachers is good for students." That's a myth.

Oh? So keeping great teachers doesn’t help students?
Attracting people to DCPS doesn’t help?

Because if you did not know the WTU includes SLPs, OTs, social workers, etc.

What is good for teachers is indeed related to students besides maybe pay. And the purpose of the union is connected to students because WE (teachers) connect it to them.

For example class size doesn’t impact students?
Caseload size?
If the teacher is absent having a sub in place?
Planning time so students can engage in well thought out lessons?
Actually being paid for after school time so students can enjoy more clubs?

you lost this argument when you kept schools closed for 1.5 yrs. We told you then that the consequences would be a massive loss of parent support for the union in the future. well, here we are.

Huh when did you support us though? Did I miss this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All teacher's unions have enormous power now with teachers quitting, retiring, etc. I suspect a deal will get done fairly quickly. One side has all the leverage and it's not even close.

Then why no contract after over 3 years? If they have ‘enormous’ power.

Please, I encourage you to stop spreading misinformation. It only hurts us and ultimately the kids pay the price as they have been. And yes, covid was a part of that and the learning loss. I volunteered to go back in Jan 2021 but even still I understand the hurt parents feel for their babies’ loss.

But we can only move forward and we (teachers) need a better evaluation system, title 1 schools especially need more resources, we need to figure out how we can stop chronic absences and tardies, and yes teachers do need a raise. I know we are paid ‘well’ but I want to continue living in DC, I support better wages for literally almost everyone.

This is the insidious framing that teachers often employ, and it's often nonsense. They suggest that anything that hurts teachers will inevitably hurt students. In reality, the teachers union is looking out for the interests of teachers (as it should - this is not a criticism, that is the function of the union). If it also helps the kids, great. But that's serendipitous, not the purpose of the union's position. But you can't have a conversation with a teacher without being told "what's good for teachers is good for students." That's a myth.

Oh? So keeping great teachers doesn’t help students?
Attracting people to DCPS doesn’t help?

Because if you did not know the WTU includes SLPs, OTs, social workers, etc.

What is good for teachers is indeed related to students besides maybe pay. And the purpose of the union is connected to students because WE (teachers) connect it to them.

For example class size doesn’t impact students?
Caseload size?
If the teacher is absent having a sub in place?
Planning time so students can engage in well thought out lessons?
Actually being paid for after school time so students can enjoy more clubs?

you lost this argument when you kept schools closed for 1.5 yrs. We told you then that the consequences would be a massive loss of parent support for the union in the future. well, here we are.

It's the single worst thing that could have happened. Families who had the resources to pivot and educate kids at home or got them into privates for that time learned, hey, turns out I don't NEED schools and teachers as much as I though I did. And families who struggled for a year and a half just to function without in person school lost trust with teachers and schools.

I think the union and individual teachers see the small minority of very vocal parents who will back the union no matter what and fully supported closures and think they have the backing of families. They don't. For us it's a tenuous dance where I like our individual teachers but am still recovering from what 18 months of school closures meant for a our family, and if we start the year with a teacher strike, I really am done -- charter or moving, but no more DCPS.

True. A strike at the beginning of the year could definitely push us to move for MS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All teacher's unions have enormous power now with teachers quitting, retiring, etc. I suspect a deal will get done fairly quickly. One side has all the leverage and it's not even close.

Then why no contract after over 3 years? If they have ‘enormous’ power.

Please, I encourage you to stop spreading misinformation. It only hurts us and ultimately the kids pay the price as they have been. And yes, covid was a part of that and the learning loss. I volunteered to go back in Jan 2021 but even still I understand the hurt parents feel for their babies’ loss.

But we can only move forward and we (teachers) need a better evaluation system, title 1 schools especially need more resources, we need to figure out how we can stop chronic absences and tardies, and yes teachers do need a raise. I know we are paid ‘well’ but I want to continue living in DC, I support better wages for literally almost everyone.

This is the insidious framing that teachers often employ, and it's often nonsense. They suggest that anything that hurts teachers will inevitably hurt students. In reality, the teachers union is looking out for the interests of teachers (as it should - this is not a criticism, that is the function of the union). If it also helps the kids, great. But that's serendipitous, not the purpose of the union's position. But you can't have a conversation with a teacher without being told "what's good for teachers is good for students." That's a myth.

Oh? So keeping great teachers doesn’t help students?
Attracting people to DCPS doesn’t help?

Because if you did not know the WTU includes SLPs, OTs, social workers, etc.

What is good for teachers is indeed related to students besides maybe pay. And the purpose of the union is connected to students because WE (teachers) connect it to them.

For example class size doesn’t impact students?
Caseload size?
If the teacher is absent having a sub in place?
Planning time so students can engage in well thought out lessons?
Actually being paid for after school time so students can enjoy more clubs?

you lost this argument when you kept schools closed for 1.5 yrs. We told you then that the consequences would be a massive loss of parent support for the union in the future. well, here we are.

Huh when did you support us though? Did I miss this?

Prior to covid school closures, I supported teachers unions and thought that charters should be unionized, and was anti-voucher. Post covid, I think charters are a necessity, I don’t trust the union, and think that Catholic schools should get vouchers.

[Anonymous]

I should also add that if you leave DCPS now after working for the last 3 years at an incorrect salary, you don't get back pay. So, if you return, quit, or leave you don't get a cent of back pay. I think it's a good tactic by Bowser and company to not create a new contract.