In the strike announcement from the Huntley Teachers Association, aka, teachers’ union, music teacher Britt Crowe joins one of the local co-presidents, Julie Hunter, to do their best to gain the publicity advantage.
The full statement is below, but read these carefully chosen words about the people who have absolutely no financial stake in how the contract ends up. I’m talking about the unpaid school board members, of course, whose time the teachers’ union has been wasting this summer. Here are the well chosen words:
“The Board of Education has focued on breaking promises with the public, grandstanding in the media, campaigning for re-election and fueling an unhealthy situation that has led to teachers leaving CSD 158 to work for districts who offer competitive salaries and benefits.”
And, here’s the statement:
The Huntley Education Association and the CSD 158 Board of Education began negotiating a new contract in February of 2008. Through 25 negotiating sessions, your childrens’ teachers have tried with marginal success to agree with the members of the BOE on a fair and equitable settlement.
The Board of Education has focued on breaking promises with the public, grandstanding in the media, campaigning for re-election and fueling an unhealthy situation that has led to teachers leaving CSD 158 to work for districts who offer competitive salaries and benefits. The HEA has focused their attention on creating a contract that will attract and retain quality teachers. They have provided rationale for their proposals, researched surrounding districts and brought to light the discrepancies between other districts and the current CSD 158 contract. The HEA negotiating team has bargained in good faith.
The teachers of CSD 158 wish to continue to offer the highest standards of professionalism and education for both students and staff. The teachers are unwilling to accept being treated as anything other than professionals themselves.
On August 11th, 2008 the Huntley Education Association filed a 10-day intent to strike notice. This action does not mean that a strike is imminent. This notice is legally required for the HEA to have in place should measures by the BOE require further action. As teachers would be working without pay and would be unable to receive unemployment benefits during a strike, they are reluctant to vote for one. Although the 10-day intent to strike notice has been filed, the teachers view the decision to strike as a last resort. However, the teachers of CSD 158 are steadfast in their resolve to be treated fairly and compensated equitably.
For further information, please contact
Britt Crowe, HEA spokesperson
847-293-2254
Julie Hunter, HEA Co-President
847-401-4306
Incidentally, the spell checking function of Blogger points out two typos in the statement. Can you find them?