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| MEA looks for support from members | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 18 2011, 10:42 PM (1,258 Views) | |
| Deleted User | Mar 18 2011, 10:42 PM Post #1 |
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Calling All Teachers: MEA Union Leaders Look For Support Local Teachers' Unions Urged To Vote On Possible Strike POSTED: Friday, March 18, 2011 UPDATED: 7:31 pm EDT March 18, 2011 DETROIT, Mich. -- The Michigan Education Association sent teachers' unions across the state a letter asking for their support, and if needed, permission to authorize a strike. The letter, obtained by Local 4 News, asked each union to vote by April 15 on whether the local teachers would be willing to "take action" that also included a "possible work stoppage." Watch: MEA Send Letter To Teachers, Asking For Help http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/27244172/index.html The letter was written by MEA President Iris Salters. The letter reads, in part, "We are under assault in Lansing," referring to recent legislation that changes the collective bargainign process. Salters called the legislation "an outright attack on our students, our members, our communities and our future." She also stated in the letter that teachers "must take action accordingly." Local 4 News obtained a copy of the letter from one state lawmaker who called the MEA's talk of a possible strike vote "disrespectful and arrogrant." Lawmakers also pointed out it is illegal for teachers to strike in Michigan. http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/27243856/detail.html |
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| Deleted User | Mar 18 2011, 10:51 PM Post #2 |
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Update on current legislation -- State lawmakers are considering several bills that would have a detrimental impact on school employees and students. These proposals include: HB 4306 - Legislation to require schools to get bids to outsource ALL school transportation, food service, and custodial jobs across the state. Emergency Financial Managers - A plan to allow state-appointed takeover czars to gut collective bargaining rights for public employees in school districts and other local government entities that are in financial distress. HB 4152 - A bill that attacks contract rights by freezing step increases and requiring employees to pay increases in health insurance premiums when a contract expires until a successor agreement is reached. This legislation would also prohibit retroactive bargaining on these issues. SB 7 - require all public employees to pay at least 20 percent of their health insurance (at least 10 percent if the health plan includes a health savings account in combination with a high deductible health plan). There is no proof that any of these ideas would help students. They would lead to increased class sizes, fewer trained professionals helping students, and other negative consequences. What’s more, they fail to address real, balanced solutions to the state's financial crisis, unlike MEA’s A+ Agenda. We need your help to inform lawmakers about the negative impacts of these proposals - please contact your state representatives and senators today to share your insights on these measures. MEA Board calls for local crisis votes March 17, 2011 - Your MEA Board of Directors is calling on local associations across the state to conduct local votes to provide MEA the authority to initiate crisis activities--up to and including a job action--in response to the ongoing legislative crisis in Lansing. "This is an unprecedented action appropriate for unprecedented times," said MEA President Iris K. Salters in a letter you will be receiving early next week regarding the ongoing threats and MEA's response to them. Watch your mailbox for this important letter and additional information about these local crisis votes. House Bill 4152 passes out of committee--on a fast track in the Senate March 17, 2011 - HB 4152 was voted out of the Senate Education Committee this week after passing the House last week. The bill is an outright attack on collective bargaining that would have a devastating financial impact on every teacher, support staff employee and public employees in general. HB 4152 is an amendment to PERA that caps wages and benefits at the level in effect when a collective bargaining agreement expires and until a new contract is in place. Any benefit cost increases after the contract expired must be paid by employees. The bill also prohibits the school district from implementing any step increases. No retroactivity would be allowed in the new agreement. The Senate Fiscal Agency Analysis sees the costs savings when it says, "A protracted negotiation period could yield significant savings if step increases were not paid and increased health care costs were passed on to employees during that time." HB 4152 destroys the idea of good faith bargaining. There's no incentive for a school district to settle in a timely fashion. Contact your senator with the message that HB 4152 is an outright attack on your right to bargain. The bargaining table can't be a shared playing field when the balance of power is taken away from you. This is just another example of looking for cost savings on the backs of the middle class. It's not right. Michigan may lose funding for extended unemployment benefits March 17, 2011 - Unemployment benefits for Michigan unemployed are at risk since a bill to allow $500 million in federal funds into the state was voted down yesterday. Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, proposed the legislation. More than 150,000 unemployed could be affected if the state House fails to act by next Friday on these extended benefits. Last December, both Democrats and Republicans in Washington agreed to extend unemployment by 20 weeks for those who have gone through the maximum 79 weeks provided by state and federal benefits. Although the money has been approved, legislation making the state eligible to receive it must be passed. Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said a compromise could be possible if the extension also includes reforms to the unemployment benefits system. Protesters tell Snyder, “That’s not right!” View slideshow from Wednesday's rally They came angry about emergency managers, taxes on pensions, school aid cuts, privatization, right to work, the elimination of prevailing wage and the repeal of binding arbitration for police and firefighters. And more than 8,000 protesters at Wednesday’s day-long rally at the Capitol had an answer for all of these attacks on the middle class—“That’s not right!” While demonstrators with signs blasted Gov. Snyder for his anti-union, anti-teacher and anti-middle class budget proposals gathered on the Capitol lawn, other protesters took their chants of “This is what democracy looks like” and “It’s our house” into the Capitol, filling the rotunda and the surrounding balconies while the House was in session. Democratic Senator Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, and Democratic Representative Richard Hammel, D-Flushing, promised the crowd they would introduce a Constitutional amendment that would give every citizen the right to join a labor organization and bargain collectively on wages and working conditions. Wednesday’s protest was one of the largest at the Capitol, coming on the heels of a protest the day before by senior citizen upset at Gov. Snyder’s plan to tax pensions while giving tax breaks to large corporations. Speakers from all labor unions, including MEA, criticized Gov. Snyder for trying to balance the budget on the backs of middle class working families. Bob King, national president of the UAW, called it “Republican reverse Robin Hood.” He said, “They have taken more than $2 billion away from working families and given it to corporations and CEOs.” MEA President Iris K. Salters compared Michigan’s situation to Wisconsin. “Gov. Snyder said he wanted to take a different path from Wisconsin. Well, we’re on the path of Wisconsin when he empowers emergency mangers to eliminate collective bargaining or when his definition of ‘shared sacrifice’ is to tax the poor and the elderly.” Deb Lotan, president of the Waterford ESP, referenced House Bill 4306, the legislation mandating privatization, in her words to the crowd, “I represent members who advocate for kids—from the food service employee who saved a child from choking, to the custodian who prevented a high school student from dropping out. Put that in a bid.” Speakers encouraged the crowd to take the day’s message—“We are the people”—back home with an eye to making sure the 2012 elections produce different results from the 2010 elections that created a Republican majority in the Legislature and the governor’s seat. Fruitport school board member, Ben Gillette, summed it up when he said, “I wanted a governor, not a CEO. It’s time we reminded Snyder that we are his Board of Directors.” Updated: March 17, 2011 Anti-labor bills still alive Legislative roundup - March 15, 2011 Power grab: Senate votes to expand reach of state takeover czars March 9, 2011 - The state Senate voted Wednesday to give broad powers to highly paid state takeover czars in school districts and cities in financial distress. The vote was 26-12, with all Republicans voting for it and all Democrats voting against it. The legislation now goes back to the House, where representatives must agree with changes. Even if you've already contacted your state representative, please call or send an e-mail today urging lawmakers to restore collective bargaining rights during the process or kill the bill. The legislation will allow emergency financial managers to throw out union contracts and overrule elected officials, including school board members. Gov. Rick Snyder has said he will sign the legislation. Under Snyder's proposed budget, the number of schools and municipalities that will qualify for a state takeover will dramatically increase. As it stands, emergency managers of school districts will have authority to dissolve local school boards and merge districts with neighboring schools, cancel employee contracts or portions of contracts, and make other significant decisions that will impact students, employees, and communities. http://www.iammea.org/lea/ |
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| Deleted User | Mar 18 2011, 11:05 PM Post #3 |
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MEA Local Presidents, To put it bluntly, we are under assault in Lansing. The legislation being considered on a daily basis at the Capitol (emergency managers, step freezes, mandatory privatization, mandatory health insurance payments, budget cuts, etc.) are outright attacks on our students, our members, our communities and our future. And we must take action accordingly. On Friday, the MEA Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of several actions MEA will be taking to ratchet up our efforts around the ongoing legislative crisis. The most pressing of these is the following vote that needs to be taken by each of your locals: Job Action Authorization Motion: The MEA Board of Directors directs that the president of each local holds a general membership meeting between March 14 and April 14, 2011. The purpose of this meeting is to conduct an election using the following ballot language: “Do you give MEA the authority to initiate crisis activities up to and including job action?” The results of this election shall be sent to President Salters by each local by April 15, 2011. The compiled results shall be given to the MEA Board of Directors at the April 28, 2011 meeting, in Executive Session. Let me be clear on what this vote means. It authorizes MEA to engage in significant activities – up to and including a work stoppage – that will increase the pressure on our legislators. But more importantly, it is a way for us to ramp up our crisis activities and ensure our members understand the severity of the situation. It provides us with the backing of our members to engage in larger scale, public activities in response to these attacks on our rights and our future. It is certain that given the number of locals we have across the state that this action will garner public and media attention. Our message is simple: * MEA will not stand silent while Michigan’s public schools and middle class are under attack. * These votes are our way of increasing the awareness and action among our members statewide to stand in defense of our jobs, our rights and the futures of our students and communities. * Should lawmakers fail to end these attack on the people of Michigan, we will not shy away from taking action to stop them. Each step of the way, we will communicate with you about these actions, which are being carefully coordinated with our brothers and sisters from across the labor and progressive community (including with AFT, UAW, SEIU and AFL-CIO). For now, I ask you to hold these membership meetings and crisis votes as soon as possible and report the results to me. We will not be publicizing the results of these votes…rather, we will use them to make informed decisions about when and where we take actions – and how we communicate with our members about them. Another Board action on Friday called on me to communicate with each MEA member about the gravity of the situation. That communication is under development and will be shared with you before it is sent via U.S. mail to every MEA member. Expect to hear more from me on that by week’s end. We will be providing you with materials and information (in addition to the constant communication to you and your members from the MEA Voice Online, Capitol Comments and www.mea.org) to help support you in holding these meetings. As a start, attached is a brief Q&A about what this vote means and what consequences may come of it. Thank you for your leadership and solidarity as we advocate for our members and our students in these unprecedented times. I am confident that history will look back at 2011 as a turning point for Michigan – and I am steadfast in my belief that public school employees and Michigan’s Middle Class will be on the winning side of this fight. Sincerely, Iris K. Salters MEA President JOB ACTION AUTHORIZATION Q & A FOR LOCAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS 1. What does my vote supporting this resolution mean? By supporting the proposed resolution, you are agreeing that you will join your colleagues in crisis activities authorized by the MEA, which include a wide range of options from after work activities in your own community to a possible statewide work stoppage. 2. How long will this authorization last? The authorization will only last through the end of the current school year. 3. What actions is this authorizing? Are we talking about a statewide strike? The proposed resolution is not specific, allowing MEA to monitor the situation and decide what will be most effective. The proposed actions could be limited to local demonstrations outside of work hours or a statewide march on the Capitol on a non-working day. In order for MEA to know the level of support for significant action in response to the Legislative assaults on school employees, it is important to know how many members are willing to take the action decided by MEA – up to and including a work stoppage. The MEA officers are very much aware of the potential ramifications of a work stoppage and will only call one if the Legislative action warrants that action. 4. Will I have to go to Lansing to protest the Legislature's actions? That will depend upon a review by MEA of the most effective action(s) for MEA members to take. The proposed resolution is flexible enough for MEA to decide the best way to stop the legislative assaults on school employees and students. 5. Will I lose pay if I do not report for work? That will depend upon individual circumstances. If you have the right to take personal business leave or other appropriate paid leave, you may not lose pay. However, you should only vote for this proposed resolution if you believe the legislative assaults are so severe that you are willing to risk the loss of pay, and possibly, the loss of your employment. 6. Can I be fired if we go out on strike? Since strikes in the public sector are illegal in Michigan, there is the possibility that you could be fired for engaging in a strike. That is why it is critical before MEA makes any decision regarding authorization of a work stoppage, we need to know if you and your colleagues are willing to take that action. It would be a significant action that sends a message to the Legislature and the public about the impact these attacks will have on your working conditions and your students’ learning conditions. You should only vote to support the proposed resolution if you believe the potential actions of the Legislature are significant enough to warrant that response. It is simply not possible to replace all or most school employees in the state. A public school employee has the right to an individual hearing at which it must be proved that the employee engaged in an illegal strike. The employee has the right to appeal that determination through the Michigan courts. It is, to say the least, a time-consuming and expensive process for school districts. 7. Am I protected if I call in sick during a work stoppage? The appropriate use of sick leave is governed by your local contract. Under most circumstances, you will still be subject to discipline up to and including discharge if your school employer determines that you are not using sick leave appropriately and are engaging in an unlawful strike. You would have the right to challenge docking of your pay through the grievance procedure of your contract. Any action to fine school employees for allegedly engaging in a strike would require hearings before the Michigan Employment Relations Commission. 8. Will MEA represent me if I am fired for supporting an authorized statewide work stoppage? MEA will defend any member who is disciplined or discharged for supporting an authorized job action. Because there is strength in numbers, a unified action provides the greatest protection to you. 9. Won't these actions hurt our students? While there may be some inconvenience for your students, you will need to weigh that against the impact of the Legislature's actions on students’ right to a quality education. Your working conditions are those students’ learning conditions. In voting on this proposed resolution you will need to decide for yourself whether these actions will help or hurt your students in the long run Q and A for Local Membership Meetings on Statewide Job Actions.pdf |
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| LPS Reformer | Mar 19 2011, 09:44 AM Post #4 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| LPS Reformer | Mar 19 2011, 09:54 AM Post #5 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Link March 18, 2011 3/19/11 - A local legislator is sounding off about what he says is a letter from the Michigan Education Association pushing an illegal strike. Michigan Education Association President Iris Salters sent a letter to local MEA presidents saying they’re under assault in Lansing and various legislation pertaining to step freezes, emergency managers and other areas of cuts are outright attacks on students, members and local communities. The MEA Board of Directors approved a motion that allows local members to vote on giving the MEA the authority to initiate crisis activities up to and including job action and a work stoppage. The letter goes on to state that the MEA will not stand silent and the vote provides backing of members to engage in larger scale, public activities in response to the attacks on their rights and future. State Representative Bill Rogers of Genoa Township says he was appalled to hear that the motion was approved and striking has been illegal in Michigan since 1947. Rogers urged teachers in Livingston and Oakland Counties to vote against what he called an irresponsible request and further urged them to not take drastic measures. Rogers says teachers are public servants just like legislators and walking off the job and abandoning children is a disregard for duty. The letter and Rogers’s response may be viewed in the attachments below. (JM) ![]() MEA Letter ![]() Rogers Letter |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| LPS Reformer | Mar 19 2011, 09:57 AM Post #6 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Apparently, LPS aren't the only ones that ignore laws they find inconvenient. Sigh.... |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| LPS Reformer | Mar 19 2011, 10:07 AM Post #7 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Link MI EDUCATION ASSOC. CONSIDERING ILLEGAL STRIKE March 17, 2011 LANSING- Speaker of the House Jase Bolger today said he was astonished to hear that Michigan Education Association President Iris Salters is proposing illegal strikes by teachers, putting their jobs and the education of their students at risk. "It is shameful for the union to put the union's interests ahead of children and show disrespect for the parents in their districts who have seen their pay and benefits reset in our struggling economy," said Bolger, R-Marshall. "It is the height of arrogance for Ms. Salters, whose pay would be unaffected by a strike, to tell teachers they should risk their careers by participating in an illegal activity." In a letter to MEA local presidents, Salters identifies a motion approved by the MEA Board of Directors that directs them to hold meetings to determine if their members will authorize "crisis activities, up to and including job action." The letter continues, "Let me be very clear on what this vote means. It authorizes the MEA to engage in significant activities -- up to and including a work stoppage." In a Q & A attached to Salters' letter, the MEA makes more than half a dozen references to a strike by teachers, which has been illegal in Michigan since 1947. The MEA points out "since strikes in the public sector are illegal in Michigan, there is the possibility that you could be fired for engaging in a strike." In a question that says "Can I be fired if we go out on strike?" the MEA responds with, "It is simply not possible to replace all or most school employees in the state…It is to, say the least, a time-consuming and expensive process for school districts." The Q & A also asks, "Won't these actions hurt our students?", to which the MEA responds, "There may be some inconvenience for your students…". Bolger said: "I value the hard work of our teachers. I would never demean their efforts by calling their absence from our children's classrooms simply an 'inconvenience'." Bolger also said he is encouraging all teachers to do the right thing and stand up for their students and their profession by standing against the union on this issue. "The Michigan Education Association may not care about students, teachers or parents, but I do," Bolger said. "I appreciate the service of our dedicated teachers. I encourage teachers to send a clear message to the union bosses that they are out of control and Michigan's children need to come first." |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| Ava | Mar 19 2011, 12:16 PM Post #8 |
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So what? Who cares?
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Of course, any "strike" would be "for the children." "It is simply not possible to replace all or most school employees in the state. A public school employee has the right to an individual hearing at which it must be proved that the employee engaged in an illegal strike. The employee has the right to appeal that determination through the Michigan courts. It is, to say the least, a time-consuming and expensive process for school districts." In other words...... |
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| LPS Reformer | Mar 19 2011, 04:21 PM Post #9 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Time to pass another bill.
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| LPS Reformer | Mar 19 2011, 04:50 PM Post #10 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Link Wisconsin East: Michigan Teachers Union Preps for Statewide Strike by Kyle Olson This week the Michigan Education Association encouraged its local affiliates to consider whether the union should have the power to consider “job actions” – code words for a sick-out, strike, or other childish antics – to get its way in Lansing. While MEA President Iris Salters and her hefty six-figure salary wouldn’t suffer if teachers chose not show up for class, the union’s proposed “job actions” would put Michigan teachers at risk of losing their jobs if school districts made the appropriate decision to terminate those who refuse to come to work. Does Salters view the state’s hard-working teachers as mere pawns in the union’s power game? There is no doubt that Michigan is in a perilous situation, and if a good education is key to fixing the state’s problems – as the MEA claims - it would make much more sense to put the needs of students first, and avoid the foolish games. On the other hand, a strike in some the state’s worst districts could finally provide the motivation for parents pull their kids from failing schools, and enroll them in schools that put their needs ahead of the MEA’s special interests. The MEA’s agenda of unrestricted collective bargaining, iron-clad tenure protections and strict “last in-first out” seniority policies is as outdated as powdered wigs. But one question remains: how hard will the MEA push – and what kinds of radical “job actions” will it resort to – in order to protect its power, influence and, of course, its prized cash cow – MESSA. This idea of a statewide strike as an opportunity to separate the wheat from the chaff. Parents and taxpayers could learn a lot – including which teachers are truly committed to educating, preparing and inspiring the state’s students. That’s because those who are more interested in looking out for themselves will be found marching on the steps of the Capitol in solidarity with Ms. Salters. |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| Deleted User | Mar 20 2011, 09:40 AM Post #11 |
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I really hope this strike happens. The MEA acts like we are still in the 70's. They can't use their power to influence the media anymore. Radio and TV ads just don't have the punch they once did. There are just too many ways to get information now. If we keep entire districts home for a few days, people will want to know why. Parents will search articles and social networks. From what I have seen in the mainstream press, the MEA hasn't exactly been getting a rosey review. Go for it MEA. Good luck. You will need it. |
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| LPS Reformer | Mar 20 2011, 11:42 AM Post #12 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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Desperate attacks from a dying institution. The real question is just how much damage they will cause before they collapse under their own corrupt weight. |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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| Mrs.M | Mar 21 2011, 04:07 PM Post #13 |
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Excerpts from the MEA president's letter Everybody claims they're under assault. How are "emergency managers, step freezes, mandatory privatization, mandatory health insurance payments" outright attacks on our students? It authorizes MEA to engage in significant activities – up to and including a work stoppage – that will increase the pressure on our legislators. It MAY increase the pressure to put a stop to the excessive perks and benefits. But more importantly, it is a way for us to ramp up our crisis activities and ensure our members understand the severity of the situation. Do you mean to say, the educated teachers in Michigan do NOT understand the severity of Michigan's budget crisis? It provides us with the backing of our members to engage in larger scale, public activities in response to these attacks on our rights and our future. ...carefully coordinated with our brothers and sisters from across the labor and progressive community (including with AFT, UAW, SEIU and AFL-CIO). Something tells me many of these workers, even though unionized, are smart enough to value their employment. We will not be publicizing the results of these votes why not? Hopefully the union will be more transparent than other entities…rather, we will use them to make informed decisions about when and where we take actions – and how we communicate with our members about them. I am confident that history will look back at 2011 as a turning point for Michigan Thirty years ago should have been a turning point, read timeline below – and I am steadfast in my belief I sure as heck wouldn't be so arrogant and steadfast! that public school employees and Michigan’s Middle Class will be on the winning side of this fight. THIRTY YEARS AGO...Maybe Salters doesn't remember this - still fresh in some people's minds. Interesting though Salters compares slavery to current events. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5604656 In August 1981, President Ronald Reagan fired thousands of unionized air-traffic controllers for illegally going on strike, an event that marked a turning point in labor relations in America, with lasting repercussions. In the decades before 1981, major work stoppages averaged around 300 per year; today, that number is fewer than 30. A look at key events before the strike, and after: 1968: The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization is created. February 1981: New contract negotiations open between PATCO and the Federal Aviation Administration, which employs the air-traffic controllers. Citing safety concerns, PATCO calls for a reduced 32-hour work week, a $10,000 pay increase for all air-traffic controllers and a better benefits package for retirement. Contract negotiations with the FAA stall. Aug. 3, 1981: About 13,000 PATCO members go on strike after unsuccessful contract negotiations. In doing so, the union technically violates a 1955 law that bans strikes by government unions. (Several government unions had previously declared strikes without penalties.) President Ronald Reagan declares the PATCO strike a "peril to national safety" and orders the controllers back to work. Reagan warns that striking is illegal for public employees, and that anyone who does not return to work within 48 hours will be terminated. A federal judge finds PATCO President Robert Poli to be in contempt of court, and the union is ordered to pay a $1,000 fine for each day its members are on strike. About 7,000 flights are canceled. Aug. 5, 1981: Most striking air-traffic controllers are fired. Reagan bans them from ever being rehired by the FAA. They are initially replaced by controllers, supervisors and staff personnel not participating in the strike and in some cases, by military controllers. Aug. 17, 1981: The FAA begins accepting applications for new air-traffic controllers. Oct. 22, 1981: The Federal Labor Relations Authority de-certifies PATCO. Later, new air-traffic controllers, hired in the wake of the strike, organize a new union to represent them, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. June 19, 1987: NATCA is certified as the sole bargaining unit for air-traffic controllers employed by the FAA. Aug. 12, 1993: President Clinton ends the prohibition on rehiring any air-traffic controller who went on strike in 1981. (To date, the FAA has rehired about 850 PATCO strikers.) |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Mrs.M | Mar 21 2011, 04:16 PM Post #14 |
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http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1900/air-traffic-controllers-strike-public-sided-with-reagan In Showdown with Air Traffic Controllers, the Public Sided with Reagan Public Opinion History February 22, 2011 The bitter fight over union rights in Wisconsin calls to mind a labor battle that helped define the first year of Ronald Reagan's presidency. Thirty years ago in August, Reagan fired more than 11,000 air traffic controllers after they staged a strike against the federal government. Reagan's reaction to the PATCO (Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization) strike was widely portrayed as harsh -- not only did Reagan fire the controllers, he banned the government from ever rehiring them. The "ban for life" was rescinded by the Clinton administration, but not until 12 years after the strike. But the public solidly supported Reagan's action. Fully 59% of Americans approved of the way he was handling the issue, according to a Gallup poll conducted a few days after he fired the controllers. A Harris survey at about the same time showed that by 51% to 40%, more said they were in sympathy with the Reagan administration than with the air traffic controllers. Several months later, in January 1982, 50% said that Reagan's treatment of the air traffic controllers was "about right." In many ways, the public's reaction was predictable. While labor unions had much more support in the early 1980s than they do today, Americans clearly drew the line against strikes by government workers in essential occupations -- including air traffic controllers. In the Gallup poll, just 28% said air traffic controllers should be permitted to strike while 68% said they should not. Even among those in households with a union member, just 40% said the controllers should be allowed to strike. This underscores one of the many differences between the long-ago strike by PATCO and today's fight between public employee unions and the Wisconsin state government. Notably, PATCO launched its strike to win major concessions from the federal government in wages and benefits. Government workers in Wisconsin have agreed to Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposed benefit cuts, but are protesting merely to maintain their right to collective bargaining -- which would be curtailed under the proposed legislation. Organized labor is in a much weaker position today than it was during the air traffic controllers' strike. A recent Pew Research survey found that favorability of labor unions is at one of its lowest levels since 1985. Gallup's seven-decade track on public approval of labor unions has found a similar trend. Moreover, the Wisconsin dispute is coming at a time when financially stressed state governments are seeking to roll back the benefits of state government workers. The Pew Research poll found that only about half (47%) favor decreasing pensions for government workers to balance their state's budget. Yet that option is much more palatable than either cuts in program funding or increased taxes. Even so, it is not clear whether the public nationally will support Wisconsin Republicans' efforts to prevent government workers from unionizing. In the Pew Research survey, which was conducted before the Wisconsin protests drew national headlines, people were asked for their reaction when they hear of a disagreement between a labor union and a state or local government: 44% say that when they hear of such a dispute they side with the unions while 38% say they side with the governments. |
| I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG. | |
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| Mrs.M | Jul 3 2012, 02:53 PM Post #15 |
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Novi teachers expect to take further concessions 3:33 PM, Jul. 2, 2012 | Written by Nathan Mueller Staff Writer News Novi Discussions regarding wage reopeners for several bargaining groups in the Novi Community School District are set to intensify in the coming months. The board of education approved its budget for the 2012-13 school year last Thursday, coming in just over the board-mandated fund balance figure of 10 percent. The unions representing secretaries and paraprofessionals, food service workers and teachers all have wage reopeners. Tom Brenner, president of the Novi Educational Association representing the teachers, said the board’s “insistence” on keeping a 10-percent fund balance essentially gives the group no negotiating power. “What we are going to be faced with is some type of concession that will equate to most of what the board wants,” Brenner said, noting that asking for a raise will likely be turned down. “It’s almost that you have to throw your hands in the air. We are really at the mercy of the state, primarily for funding, and Novi’s board insisting on a 10-percent fund equity.” Steve Barr, assistant superintendent of business operations, said it is hard to negotiate when the district does not know several variables it uses to create its budget. Barr said the four main variables are state funding, retirement reform, student enrollment and results of negotiations. The only variable known to Barr at this time is state funding. The NEA’s two-year contract was agreed to last year and included a 1-percent wage concession as well as paying 15 percent toward health care premiums. Some teachers were bothered by the fact that they took wage cut when the fund balance at the start of the year was higher than initially predicted. Bonnie Lobert, assistant superintendent of human resources, said the concessions were important, even though the fund equity ended up being better. “Those concessions employees agreed to allowed the district to stay in good financial shape,” she said. Brenner said he does not believe the current administration is doing anything to deceive his group, and the two sides have been meeting regularly to discuss different options. Ultimately, Brenner feels there isn’t a need for local school boards because that state controls all the funding. He also believes the state Legislature would like to see the entire teacher pay scale reduced, and that the public feels teachers are overpaid. “I don’t hear any of my top students saying they want to go into education or be a teacher,” he said. “It perpetuates that cycle of self-defeatism.” Both sides are hopeful to have the wage reopeners completed before the school year begins. “I’d be very surprised if we don’t,” Brenner said. nmueller@gannett.com | (248) 437-2011 ext. 255 Twitter: @TheNoviNews http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120702/NEWS13/120702011/Novi-teachers-expect-take-further-concessions?odyssey=obinsite |
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| srj900 | Jul 4 2012, 05:23 PM Post #16 |
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Privatize all schools, give parents vouchers, and end this educational dictatorship, that only seems to benefit those at the top. Bring competition to education and see test scores rise and students and teachers more engaged. This current public school model is outdated and top heavy. Let Liepa go back to race horses. A much more suitable environment for him and his ilk. |
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| n73pm | Jul 5 2012, 12:23 AM Post #17 |
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YES!!!! I agree 1000% !!! Public teachers act as if the world cannot exist without them but the exact opposite is true. They cost the TAX payers so much money for very return for our money and to the kids. I lost all respect for them many years ago and never supported them in any way. I don't know how they got to the top of the food chain but it's time to push them back down to the bottom feeder bunch. Salaries too high along with their bennies and retirement package. And WE pay for it and get not much in return. Now before you start jumping ugly...I know there's teachers that are great and they should be compensated according bu we all know there's slugs out there and they should of been kicked to the curb a long time ago. YES, there's slugs in all walks of work but the TAX payers aren't paying their lifestyle! And that's what I'm talking about. If a company wants to waste their money on employees that aren't worth the time of day, let them but when it comes to MY TAX money, that's where the buck stops. NO UNION JOBS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED. SORRY!!!! They have overstayed their welcome and have out-priced themselves of my pocketbook. And for UNIONS to support the left's socialist agenda....NOT ME and NOT MY MONEY! |
| I support Global Warming cuz nothing grows in ice! | |
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