Every DCPS employee is in some type of union from Principal to the Custodian. The only ones not are athletic coaches (who are not DCPS employees) and Substitutes. I arrived in DCPS 2013 I did not know that the DCPS workers under the AFSCME union were in a similar situation like the DCPS teachers are currently. I'm under AFSCME and people before me are happy they are finally seeing the 3% cost of living increase raise for the next 4 years. Retro pay was given as well in which I received my 1st month on the job and when I asked why i'm getting it as being new the response was interesting "You are part of us". I'm thinking in talking to teachers I know really well, I can tell that their frustrated about the situation. One can say DCPS have their issues and yes they do. However, I can say that I personally see these teachers sacrifice a lot and to them to work without a contract is crazy. Kirk Cousins is not playing for the Redskins without a new contract and he would play for the next 10 here with the same contract as this past season. I have a better one for all on here who think it's not a big deal as some mentioned "If you worked at the same job for 4 plus years, would you keep the same entry contract salary you had year one?" The majority of you will say no. That's my issue as you can not ask anyone to work without a contract. Fast food has a contract for customers "you pay us the food we are going to serve you" You notice they go up on their prices every 2 to 3 years? Fast food can raise their prices and it's ok? However, DCPS wanting a new contract is terrible?

I will end on this note. Something will happen soon if this isn't rectified. I can say this as I know of one school I was told that was going to do a all staff walk out. The issue was that some backed out at the last minute. Obviously, as an DCPS employee I will not name the school. I will say though that many other school union leaders are thinking of ways to send a message. This is why they are not going to media and telling everyone as they want the full affect to happen.

Anonymous wrote:If going to strike - please do it during PARCC

Nooo, I want to see how my kid does this year. The test might be useless, but if his numbers are going down, then I know the curriculum is no good.

Anonymous wrote:Is all of this just hearsay? They have worked 4 years without a contract, what has happened that won't make it 5?

Teachers are tired of waiting.

It is also smart - if Trump follows through with his budget ideas, the city will have less money. Teachers need to try to get what they can now, while there is a surplus.

The Mayor could submit an offer that includes retroactive pay and fair salary increases. What is she waiting for?

Is all of this just hearsay? They have worked 4 years without a contract, what has happened that won't make it 5?

Mayor Bowser doesn't know how to truly handle public education. She is so tightly involved with so many contractors all over the district, her idea of helping education is to pour billions into renovations and buildings to help her pals instead of treating the teachers of DC fairly that would in turn reflect a greater education for students. All she does is run from ribbon cutting ceremony to another public appearance. She will be at meetings all week talking about her budget, and I can bet that a teacher retro pay and increase will be nowhere, but renovations surely will.

+1

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dcs-teachers-union-hopeful-it-will-have-a-new-contract-in-early-2017/2016/12/30/a7ad37e4-cde2-11e6-a87f-b917067331bb_story.html?utm_term=.8a294a8a69b4

This was written before Mayor Bowser said that there would be no retro pay. If there is no retro pay, there will be action taken from the union to rightfully get what the teachers deserve. There has also been more taken from negotiations, they are not working. The teachers are fed up.

They have a contract, the expired one continues until it is replaced.

And working without a contract is the norm in the private sector. Somehow people survive.

Teachers' working conditions are our children's learning conditions.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't want to work for years without a contract. I wouldn't do that to a contractor working for me. So why should I be OK with my kid's teacher being put in that situation?

They have a contract, the expired one continues until it is replaced.

And working without a contract is the norm in the private sector. Somehow people survive.

You will hear more soon. You can let Mayor Bowser know that you're a D.C. voter who supports a fair contract for DCPS teachers.

#noretronodeal

Shouldn't this be all over the news? How many teachers are in DCPS..?

I have 3 children in DCPS schools and this is the first time I am hearing anything about this. What can we do to help?

Maybe not a strike--the reason teachers have waited this long is that we really don't want to do anything that takes us away from our students. DCPS and the Mayor know this, and have used it to their advantage over the past four years. There are many ways to make our position known without striking, and they are coming. We hope parents will support us.

It is true that DCPS teachers are among the highest paid. Teachers (and other professions traditionally dominated by women) have long been unfairly compensated in our country. Does that mean DCPS teachers don't deserve a salary that allows them to live comfortably in the city in which they work? DCPS loves to cite the big bonus and salary bumps. Voters should know that the bumps (which are substantial and well deserved) are only for highly effective teachers at the District's poorest schools. The bonus for other highly effective teachers is $2,000 before taxes. I am not greedy, and neither is my union. I deserve retro pay and a fair salary increase - just like D.C. firefighters and police officers received in their 2014 contracts.

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully they go on strike and devos can issue vouchers for private school

Uh huh. Good luck getting a spot at one. Go read the Private school thread during this admissions season.