Last evening an unprecedented move was taken by the BEA/BOSS associations to avert the possiblity of a strike and continue in good faith negotiations. Attached to this is The Pledge to the Board of Education.
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Ray Krause
12:26 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Unprecedented? It does not seem unprecedented to pre-load a “Pledge” with rhetoric that sounds as though it could have been written by James Carville’s apprentice. It sounds kind of desperate actually.
Several teachers union locals have issued pledges not to strike, some even pledge not to strike and not to talk in public about the situation until a cooling off period occurs and negotiations can be restarted. (Elmira, Oregon 1982)
I would have hoped that the work between the two parties and the federal mediator would be quietly and professionally been completed this week. That pledge from both parties would be a welcome one.
Janet Fedak
1:14 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
And today I received a copy in my mailbox, along with a very disturbing second page titled "Destroy the District? 10 choices your School Board has to do the right thing", one of which entailed "hiring security goons"... wow. You just don't get it do you? You blew it with the second page. You just couldn't keep things civil could you BEA/ BOSS. In my humble opinion, this really doesn't help your image whatsoever. It almost seems like you are just covering yourself for a strike.... and blaming it all on the board.
JMS
8:29 am on Thursday, August 16, 2012
I agree with Janet. I am not sure this tactic is going to help the cause. The communications put out on the social media sites and now in our paper boxes comes off more Teamster than it does highly educated professional. The rhetoric and fear was "racheted" up at the end of the school year when teacher's were packing their things up in front of students. The fear was "racheted" up further when the BEA voted to authorize a strike. Now paper work using verbage like goons and scabs! The only group forcing this strike is the BEA or whoever advises them. The union is the teachers....if they strike it is their choice.
If the BEA chooses to bring this "fight" public that is fine but stick to facts and figures. Just like the BEA would like the public to remember that they are human beings, remember that the Board members are also humans. All of which reside here. Worship here. Volunteer in our schools. Have kids currently in school here. They aren't "politicians" just community members who are willing to attempt to make the fiscal changes that people have been discussing and complaining about for years at parties, PSO meetings, sporting events and waiting rooms. None of us (note all the aliases/me included) have been willing to step up.
For the kids looking forward to their first day of school to the kids looking forward to their last year of school, may the adults involved return quietly to the table with open minds and pledge to work through this for you.
Justin Tyme
3:34 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
What they don't get is that simple minded, short sided, money grubbing, high and mighty members of the community that have no use for public education and our educators will latch on to any, and I do mean any, excuse to justify their hatred of teachers and skinflint lack of generosity to public causes to which they can not directly attach their name
We could probably raise all the money the system needs if we would sell a brick with their names on it or be sure that they got some commitee credit for paying it.
The teachers will stop when they figure out that there really is nothing they can do that is right because they represent nothing more than a tax to our community misers.
The board is admired becuase they stand to put a few more pennies in your pocket.
Lenore L.
7:40 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Why should i buy a brick so our teachers can continue to be overpaid and given outrageous benefit packages? If they don't like it then they can enter the real world and take a job somewhere else. Some have and frankly, I applaud them for it. Just strike already and lets get on with the school year. This isn't the first time the district has had a strike, hopefully if the board continues to manage in a responsible manner, it will be the last.
Lenore L.
7:38 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
I was glad to get the letter with contact info in my mail box. I wrote each board member and told them I did not support the pledge and asked them not to sign.
Stew
9:43 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Oh, well! This is horrible. Lenore has written to the board. Everyone please pack up your things and leave. It's over. I must say it was a well fought battle but victory is victory and now surely Lenore will have her way. Goodness, how did it ever take this long?
Well, I tell you this. I won't be shopping at the Heinen's now at all. I suspect the employess will soon all be working for minimum wage and... no wait aren't they unionized in the grocery supply depot's? Oh goodness her work is never done.
Nelly
2:23 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Stew, thank you for making my day!