Cary School Teachers Don’t Strike

Wednesday was the first day of school and teachers were not striking. They were asking for more negotiations. Maybe there will be a meeting next week. … Continue reading

Cary Grade School Board Imposes “Last Best” Offer Terms on School Teachers, Strike a Possibility

A press release from Cary Elementary School District 26: Board Imposes Last Best Offer for the Start of School The Cary District 26 School Board regrets to announce that it has been unable to reach a negotiated agreement with the … Continue reading

Why Cutting and Pasting Doesn’t Always Work

Yesterday, I took from the McHenry County Republican web site something State Rep. Mike Tryon had put up about educational reform. It contained “Talking Points for Educational Reform.” Undoubtedly handed out to all Republican members of the Illinois House. One … Continue reading

Wisconsin Poll Shows 55-44% Disapproval of GOP Gov. Scott Walker’s Job Performance

This press release from We Ask America takes a look at political reactions in Wisconsin to the Republicans’ move to weaken collective bargaining for public employees. We Ask America was the only firm known to have surveyed the 8th Congressional … Continue reading

Huntley School Teacher Contract Views – Then and Now

These comments by Huntley School District Superintendent John Burkey in the First Electric Newspaper stirred my memory: “Last year I was amazed that we avoided it,” said Supt. John Burkey. “This year it just caught up with us.” He slammed … Continue reading

Two McHenry High School Board Candidates Address Wonder Lake Voters

McHenry Citizens Tax Watch, a new group springing out of Wonder Lake founded by Bob Anderson and David Yang, held a meeting Sunday afternoon at Christ the King Catholic Church. It was a bifurcated one featuring National Taxpayers United of … Continue reading

Keeping Right to Strike Tops Agenda as IEA Teachers Union Tries to Motivate Its Members

It’s hard to believe that the Illinois Education Association is on the defensive with Democrats so solidly in control of the Illinois General Assembly, but reading the post card below certainly leads to that conclusion. It was preceded by a … Continue reading

IEA Union Leader Urges Action to Protect Teacher Rights

The following telephone message received by a McHenry County teacher and presumably all other Illinois Education Association members: This is IEA President Ken Swanson with an urgent message about a legislative emergency You will be receiving in the mail an … Continue reading

Jack Franks’ Liberal Politics Hurt the Most Needy and Disadvantaged Kids while Voting Against Saving Hundreds of Millions of Dollars each Year

Teachers unions want legislators who are automatic votes for what they want, when they really want it. Jacks Franks is one of those automatic votes for the Illinois teachers unions. For ten years he has tried hiding this position. Where? … Continue reading

Will Jack Franks Support for Teacher Unions’ Right to Strike Come Back to Bite Him?

John O’Neill is the Republican candidate running for state representative against ten-years-in-Springfield Democrat Jack Franks. Franks cheered in the election of Rod Blagojevich and his era of Democrat politics, even asking him for appointments for friends and family.  You certainly … Continue reading

Do Huntley Teachers Want More under their Current Agreement?

In September 2008, the Huntley school district and the Huntley teachers union (the “HEA” for Huntley Education Association) ended a strike and reached an agreement. It was for three years. All remaining issues that were left for joint committees of … Continue reading

Huntley School Board May Reward Good Leadership at Service Workers Union

When a union and management works together it can pay good dividends for both sides. A lot of time this is idle talk. Not so in the Huntley school district. In fact, in Huntley you have a large contrast between … Continue reading

Huntley School Board May Reward Good Leadership at Service Workers Union

When a union and management works together it can pay good dividends for both sides. A lot of time this is idle talk. Not so in the Huntley school district. In fact, in Huntley you have a large contrast between … Continue reading

Teachers’ Union Uses Huntley High Newspaper to Blame Board

The Huntley High students came up with two “original” ideas: The Board of Education should negotiate the way the union wants them to. Blame Larry Snow for the teachers’ decision to strike. That’s the gist of what got published in … Continue reading

Teachers’ Union Uses Huntley High Newspaper to Blame Board

The Huntley High students came up with two “original” ideas: The Board of Education should negotiate the way the union wants them to. Blame Larry Snow for the teachers’ decision to strike. That’s the gist of what got published in … Continue reading

IEA Union Newsletter Facts Sound More Like Wish Fulfillment

If you are one of those skeptical individuals who think teachers’ union leaders are sometimes less than truthful, here’s evidence to put your mind at ease. All you have to do is read page 24 of the final signed Huntley … Continue reading

IEA Union Newsletter Facts Sound More Like Wish Fulfillment

If you are one of those skeptical individuals who think teachers’ union leaders are sometimes less than truthful, here’s evidence to put your mind at ease. All you have to do is read page 24 of the final signed Huntley … Continue reading

Huntley Teacher Union Leader Julie Hunter Makes Out Well

There’s good reason Huntley Co-President Julie Hunter led her teacher friends on strike. It looks like she wanted to make sure she got a lot higher salary than what was in the Board’s last best and final offer. You can … Continue reading

Huntley Teacher Union Leader Julie Hunter Makes Out Well

There’s good reason Huntley Co-President Julie Hunter led her teacher friends on strike. It looks like she wanted to make sure she got a lot higher salary than what was in the Board’s last best and final offer. You can … Continue reading