Recently a parent wrote to me asking if the Bellevue teachers were going to strike, and if so approximately how long it was going to last. It is a reasonable request. Parents care about their children and want the best for them. That takes planning. If children are not going to be in school, alternative arrangements need to be made.
I would love to be able to tell the Bellevue parents if there will be a strike, but the fact is I will probably find out at the same time they will. The Bellevue teachers have taken a strike vote pending the outcome of the current contract negotiations with the school district. The teachers in Snoqualmie have taken a similar vote. WEA only provides support to a local association. It is the local teachers who decide to strike.
No educator wants a strike. They want what is best for their students, which means working with the students to provide them with the best possible education. If teachers vote to strike it tells you that there are issues they feel will have a significant impact on the role they engage in as educators. The strike itself is a de facto push to get negotiations moving toward a mutually agreeable solution.
How long does that take? It depends on how willing the two teams are to talk to each other in an atmosphere of respect. Around the state this summer, several bargaining crises have been averted by two sides working together to come to an agreement. I congratulate both sides for their efforts on behalf of the students. I hope the Bellevue School District administration offers a fair contract settlement that our BEA members can ratify with pride, soon.
About Me
- Mike Ragan
- I would not have considered college if not for a high school counselor in suburban Philadelphia. I graduated with a degree in engineering and physics then worked all over the country as an engineer. With my wife who was teaching overseas, I studied psychology and education and received my teaching certificate at Heritage College in Toppenish then completed my student teaching while earning my Masters in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University. I became active in my association soon after I began teaching science in Kennewick 13 years ago. I took office as the WEA vice president July 2007. P.S. My favorite book is Hero Mama by Karen Spears Zacharias.
4 comments:
I am supportive of our Bellevue school teachers, I think they are working hard to make a different in our kids' lives. However, having looked at the BSD Negotiations Information sheet (8/29/2008), I think teachers should reconsider the proposal, the district is cutting down due to money shortage, and the cut back needs to be across the whole BSD, the major expense is teachers' pay. We all want better compensation & salary increases, but with the current economy and BSD's budget, teachers need to make some sacrifices as well as anyone else in BSD. Parents & PTSA are very supportive of our teachers in BSD, I hope the teachers are supportive of our children and make the right choice by not striking this coming Tuesday. Set a good example for our kids by not breaking the law and work things out with the District by negotiation.
Kathy
Mike,
We came close(two hours) to a strike about three years ago. The members of the Pocatello Education Association stand in solidarity with the folks in Bellevue. Solidarity forever. Union forever.
Bill Davis
President
Pocatello Education Association
Pocatello, Idaho
The kids in Bellevue should be in school. The union needs to discover other ways to negotiate. Hurting kids and families is not the way-
I support the members of the Bellevue Education Association. Go BEA!
Stand strong for what you believe is the right thing to do. Eventually, what is right for educators is right for students.
dr
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