Minnesota lawmakers seek ban on teachers’ strikes

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Workday Minnesota

By Michael Moore, Union Advocate editor

ST. PAUL - A Senate committee heard testimony on a bill that would constrain the collective-bargaining process used by Minnesota’s public schools and their teachers, prohibiting negotiations while school is in session and mandating arbitration if the two sides are unable to reach agreement.
The bill, Senate File 208, also includes a provision that would reclassify public-school teachers as “essential employees,” making it illegal for them to go on strike.

Republicans on the Senate Committee on State Government Innovation and Veterans passed the bill Monday by an 8-5, party-line vote, dismissing testimony against the measure from representatives of Education Minnesota, the statewide union of 70,000 educators.

Jim Smola, president of Dakota County United Educators and a teacher in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools, told senators the bill would place artificial and unnecessary constraints on the collective-bargaining process, which has served his district well.

Read more: http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4812

---

Not that Michael Moore.

[defendandprotect]

1. Guess they think STRIKES could be a threat to them, eh?

[midnight]

2. K&R Just say no.....

[Dawson Leery]

3. Governor Dayton seeks veto pen.

[wellstone dem]

4. Thank you everyone who got out and voted for Governor

Dayton. Our DFL Governor will veto this.

[CatholicEdHead]

6. So true

If Tom Emmer would have got in we would be just like Wisconsin.

[glinda]

13. That was the plan.

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

7. damn straight nt

[LiberalFighter]

5. Teachers in states where this is done should consider going on strike.

Everyone in the state should and then what would the state do about the schools? It would be difficult to find enough teachers to replace enough of them.

[hack89]

8. Too late - only 13 states allow teacher strikes

a lot of blue state forbid it - Rhode Island, Washington and Massachusetts for example

[jacquelope]

16. So? What are they going to do?

Arrest them all? Replace them with all the unqualified scabs that are waiting to take their place?

This won't end like the Air Traffic Controller strikes. The military make poor classroom teachers. There aren't qualified replacements ready. The system will collapse.

I say strike.. and collapse it. Call their bluff.

[hack89]

19. There are plenty of people that would be happy not to educate children

Secondly, I would blame and punish the teachers - they are not going to get away with injuring my children to make a point.

There is a reason that liberal states like the ones I mentioned have made it illegal for public employee unions (including teachers) to strike. The public supports such laws. Don't be surprised when the strike you so obviously want blows up in your face.

[jacquelope]

20. So it blows up in their faces...

What is the public going to do? Hang the teachers? Who'll educate their kids then?

That should make teachers fight back HARDER.

[hack89]

21. Start charter schools.

there will be teachers - there are plenty that are disgusted with the present system. Look at how many leave the profession every year. We will give them a role in rebuilding the education system while they continue to do what they love.

We don't have to hang the teachers - we will simply refuse to fund their pensions. The public has a huge hammer too.

[jacquelope]

24. Charter schools? Go for it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school#Critiques_of_charter_schools

Nationwide:
The turnover rate for charter school teachers is 132% higher.
83% of charter schools perform no better than public schools.
14% close down due to bad grades.
Charter schools don't usually met state certification standards.


If there are plenty of people who are disgusted with the present system, wait'll they get a full-mouth taste of the charter system.

[hack89]

25. In Rhode Island they are public schools

they do a great job.


Same students, same teachers, same funding - no reason to think it will be any worse then it is now.

[Godhumor]

22. I taught in a state where the teachers tried an illegal strike, and it did end with arrests, firings

for illegal activity, non-pay (teachers out of school illegally), and a complete turnover of union leadership (Most of which was in jail temporarily) as even the teachers were pissed at the action.

Striking in "essential employee" states is really not a good idea.

[jacquelope]

23. A worse idea than striking in the USSR?

Seems we're better at intimidating people than the Soviets in Poland. How'd we let things get that bad?

[plumbob]

9. Funny way to treat "essential" folks, isn't it?

Like garbage?

[Iliyah]

10. I thank the stars everyday

that Cali DID NOT vote goper for governor. Now Gov Brown has to fight the gopers but I think he will overcome.

WE SHALL OVERCOME. . . . . . .some day. . . .soon, real soon

[StarsInHerHair]

11. so...........is the GOP going extinct now?

nt

[defendandprotect]

12. eh ... no -- corporations are too corrupt and criminal ... !!

The Rightwing Koch Bros. Funded the DLC --

http://www.democrats.com/node/7789

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x498414

If you knew this, why didn't you tell us?

If you didn't know it, pass it along!


:)

[glinda]

14. And after reading your links there is this...

[defendandprotect]

15. Who's that with Obama?

[glinda]

18. Sebelius.

[Snoutport]

17. maybe they should strike now...while they still can nt