Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 15:15     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



If we were truly living in a “free society”, half the teachers in the country would have not been paid for the last year since they haven’t done their jobs. And they’d now be looking for other jobs (probably without success) since most of them could have been replaced during the past year.



If we were living in a real “free society” we would it have public subsidized schools. You also would have been fired for your less than full blast work product during this pandemic. Not sure how these types of comments really help the dialogue. But continue to rant


you know nothing about the quality of our work products. we do know something about the quality of teacher work.


I know in a free society most companies would not hire women and especially mothers. So there’s that.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 15:12     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



If we were truly living in a “free society”, half the teachers in the country would have not been paid for the last year since they haven’t done their jobs. And they’d now be looking for other jobs (probably without success) since most of them could have been replaced during the past year.



If we were living in a real “free society” we would it have public subsidized schools. You also would have been fired for your less than full blast work product during this pandemic. Not sure how these types of comments really help the dialogue. But continue to rant


you know nothing about the quality of our work products. we do know something about the quality of teacher work.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 14:51     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



If we were truly living in a “free society”, half the teachers in the country would have not been paid for the last year since they haven’t done their jobs. And they’d now be looking for other jobs (probably without success) since most of them could have been replaced during the past year.



If we were living in a real “free society” we would it have public subsidized schools. You also would have been fired for your less than full blast work product during this pandemic. Not sure how these types of comments really help the dialogue. But continue to rant
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 14:36     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



If we were truly living in a “free society”, half the teachers in the country would have not been paid for the last year since they haven’t done their jobs. And they’d now be looking for other jobs (probably without success) since most of them could have been replaced during the past year.


This is really unkind to teachers. Just because DL is an ineffective way to teach doesn’t mean it’s their fault that we need to do DL in the first place.
Also, there’s absolutely no one looking to replace teachers. DCPS is always hiring.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 14:30     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



If we were truly living in a “free society”, half the teachers in the country would have not been paid for the last year since they haven’t done their jobs. And they’d now be looking for other jobs (probably without success) since most of them could have been replaced during the past year.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 14:22     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It’s over for WTU. On day 1 thousands of kids had the best day they had in MONTHS returning to school. The parents that got that are grateful and will guard that happiness and normalcy jealously and the parents that didn’t get it or were unsure want it. No going back now!


Actually, teachers in Germany are not allowed to strike. They are public service officers with tenure, and those cannot strike because they would be harming the public.

Sorry responded to the wrong post.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 14:20     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



But the union (and therefore you) did in fact specifically agree to the no-strike clause. The collective bargaining agreement specifies that 1. the union can be held in violation and 2. individual members can be pushed with discipline or dismissal. So the union itself can be sued. I'm not sure whether the damages would be financial or what, but it would be a clear violation. And regarding individual teachers, probably they won't fire everyone, but certainly they will make examples of anyone deemed to be a ringleader or particularly vocal. Discipline would be more widespread.


Me? I’m not part of the union. I’m not a teacher, or affiliated with anything to do with unions or education.

It’s just that strikes are allowed in all civilized societies.



Actually, teachers in Germany are not allowed to strike. They are public service officers with tenure, and those cannot strike because they would be harming the public
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 14:19     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:It’s over for WTU. On day 1 thousands of kids had the best day they had in MONTHS returning to school. The parents that got that are grateful and will guard that happiness and normalcy jealously and the parents that didn’t get it or were unsure want it. No going back now!


Actually, teachers in Germany are not allowed to strike. They are public service officers with tenure, and those cannot strike because they would be harming the public.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 14:07     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



But the union (and therefore you) did in fact specifically agree to the no-strike clause. The collective bargaining agreement specifies that 1. the union can be held in violation and 2. individual members can be pushed with discipline or dismissal. So the union itself can be sued. I'm not sure whether the damages would be financial or what, but it would be a clear violation. And regarding individual teachers, probably they won't fire everyone, but certainly they will make examples of anyone deemed to be a ringleader or particularly vocal. Discipline would be more widespread.


It’s not just the WTU. There is a no strike clause in every union contract in DC. it’s against the law for any union to strike in DC.


Cool. That doesn't change the point.


I don’t care how many press releases there are. The union is not going to vote for a strike.


+1. The leverage a teachers union might normally hold with a strike - massively inconveniencing voting parents and thus imperiling job security for elected officials - just doesn't exist this year. Parents have been massively inconvenienced for a year. They're used to it.


Oh good point. The pain that would normally be felt by parents in the sense that they'd have to keep their kids home if teachers strike is already being felt. There's little additional pain to be felt. And therefore less leverage for the union.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 14:04     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



But the union (and therefore you) did in fact specifically agree to the no-strike clause. The collective bargaining agreement specifies that 1. the union can be held in violation and 2. individual members can be pushed with discipline or dismissal. So the union itself can be sued. I'm not sure whether the damages would be financial or what, but it would be a clear violation. And regarding individual teachers, probably they won't fire everyone, but certainly they will make examples of anyone deemed to be a ringleader or particularly vocal. Discipline would be more widespread.


It’s not just the WTU. There is a no strike clause in every union contract in DC. it’s against the law for any union to strike in DC.


Cool. That doesn't change the point.


I don’t care how many press releases there are. The union is not going to vote for a strike.


+1. The leverage a teachers union might normally hold with a strike - massively inconveniencing voting parents and thus imperiling job security for elected officials - just doesn't exist this year. Parents have been massively inconvenienced for a year. They're used to it.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 13:27     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Fwiw, Bowser was asked about this at her presser today because the restraining order hearing still hasn’t been scheduled. She said the city is not pursuing it right now. I would guess that she, like many of the other posters on this board, believes that the union is not actually going to strike.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 13:19     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
There should be a right to strike. Otherwise we're not living in a free society that protects workers' rights.

Also, it won't make one lick of difference to the quality of instruction anyway. We're providing in-person face-to-face instruction for the majority of the student body any time soon. Our cases, hospitalizations and deaths are just too high.



But the union (and therefore you) did in fact specifically agree to the no-strike clause. The collective bargaining agreement specifies that 1. the union can be held in violation and 2. individual members can be pushed with discipline or dismissal. So the union itself can be sued. I'm not sure whether the damages would be financial or what, but it would be a clear violation. And regarding individual teachers, probably they won't fire everyone, but certainly they will make examples of anyone deemed to be a ringleader or particularly vocal. Discipline would be more widespread.


It’s not just the WTU. There is a no strike clause in every union contract in DC. it’s against the law for any union to strike in DC.


Cool. That doesn't change the point.


I don’t care how many press releases there are. The union is not going to vote for a strike.


Why do you think that?


Members will not sacrifice their jobs for this. You will see the usual crew of people drumming up support for this but it’s not going to happen. Once schools opened, that was it. It’s fine if you don’t believe me, but I know that I am right.


This is what I think too. They have good jobs and benefits, and it's unlikely they could make more money teaching anywhere else in the area. Plus many of the worst teachers would get fired if they pulled the same behavior in other school systems. Only in DCPS can they get away with their behavior and performance.

We're in a very different posture than in November. It's sad because many parents joined in with WTU to protest the most vulnerable students getting in person spots because their kids weren't getting spots too. These same parents won't join with WTU to protest their own children getting spots or potentially getting spots in the future. It's disgusting, but it does mean that WTU doesn't have broad parent support anymore.


thank you. this expresses why I am just done with my school and decided to keep my IEP kid home.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 13:17     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

WTU has to be the most hated organization in Washington.


I think it's probably metro.


Truth.


I dunno. When I am allowed in my office again, I will joyfully get on the metro. So for me WMATA > WTU. Probably this also reflects some recency bias.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 13:05     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:Seems weird to strike after some teachers are already back. I’ll roll with whatever because I support collective action, but I’m constantly flummoxed by this union’s choices.


+1 My kid is in school but only because her awesome teacher was pulled in to teach and we wanted to follow her and avoid the other teachers in that grade. If we ended up back with virtual that would be fine by me. I'm just exhausted by all the indecision, complaining, hand wringing, threats.
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2021 13:03     Subject: WTU press release: teachers to vote by secret ballot to authorize strike
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

WTU has to be the most hated organization in Washington.


I think it's probably metro.


Truth.