What's your opinion of teachers who cross the picket line? [View all]

[Locut0s]

Last edited Sun Nov 25, 2012, 01:05 AM - Edit history (1)

Both the support and faculty unions at the university I attend have been going on rotating strikes these past few weeks. They have been striking on random days, giving 72 hours notice as per law. We've missed about 4 days of classes so far these past several weeks. I support teachers unions 100% but I have to say that this IS fucking up our semester, especially for those students who are already struggling.

Now the vast majority of teachers don't cross the picket line. Whether it's the support union OR teachers unions. Many join the line fact, some even in support of the support staff strikes. However I've had one teacher make it clear to us that he doesn't agree with this strike (there is nothing special about this one just asking for better pay and benefits and they AREN'T overpaid compared to other colleges) and is making a point of being at the school during his office and lab hours. Of course he isn't teaching a class because that would further penalize the students who don't show up. But he want's to make it clear he will be there to help any students who decide to come in, crossing the picket line to do so, and want help. I can sympathize with wanting to help students during this period but crossing the picket line is a real dick move IMHO.

I actually like the guy and think he's an ok teacher but I'm starting to think he may be a right winger which would be too bad. I'm not all that convinced he cares about the students because while he mentioned how unfair it is to the students he ALSO told a story about how the last time there was a strike he just went off and did some extra contract work to get extra pay during the strike.

What's your opinion?

One thing to note about this university is that they put extra emphasis on drawing teachers from industry, the school is very job / business oriented and works very closely with industry both in student placement as well as in class design. This means that many of the teachers don't necessarily have an academic background and there may be a higher percentage of right wingers.