Posts tagged substitute teachers
Commentary: America’s Third Largest Teachers’ Union Heads for the Largest Decertification Vote in History
January 2, 2024 // On Dec. 19, UTD President Karla Hernandez-Mats confirmed the union hadn’t been able to persuade 60 percent of the 30,000 teachers it officially represents to become dues-paying members. A few days earlier, she claimed the union had increased its numbers to just more than 58 percent, including 800 new members. What she didn’t explain was that the union had to kick out all the substitute teachers from the bargaining district in order to increase their membership percentage, and still fell short. Hernandez-Mats declined to disclose the final tally. The 60 percent requirement was imposed under Senate Bill 256, the most aggressive state labor reform bill since Wisconsin’s Act 10 under then-Gov. Scott Walker. SB 256 also prohibits public agencies like school districts from deducting dues directly from employees’ paychecks on behalf of the union representing their bargaining unit.
California school district offering substitute teachers $500 per day to cross teachers’ picket line
October 26, 2023 // Teachers in Fresno, California, have authorized a strike, and to fill the temporary vacancies, the school district is sending out a state-wide call for substitute teachers with a lucrative offer — $500 per day to cross the picket line. That's more than the average daily pay for a full-time teacher in Fresno Unified School District and more than double the normal daily rate for substitute teachers. If someone accepts a job in the classroom while the teachers are on strike, it will be regarded as crossing the picket line, according to Fresno Teachers Association President Manuel Bonilla. Guest teachers are not a part of the association, and if they teach during the strike they won't be blacklisted, but Bonilla said it will undoubtedly damage personal relationships with teachers fighting for a fair contract.
Is a Contract Close? Teachers Say They’re Getting ‘Strike-Ready.’ FUSD Plans Update on Talks.
October 13, 2023 // Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson and other district leaders have scheduled a news conference for Friday morning to provide an update about contract negotiations with the Fresno Teachers Association. The news conference will be at 11:30 a.m. in the downtown Education Center. Nelson will be joined by School Board members and “additional leaders,” the district said in a news release Thursday afternoon. Fresno Teachers Association leaders declined to comment to GV Wire.
Minneapolis teachers union moves one step closer to strike
January 19, 2022 // In a statement, MFT President Greta Callahan says the decision Wednesday is the result of a "frustratingly slow" bargaining process with the district that has dragged out over two years. The vote Wednesday gives teachers another negotiating chip as the bargaining process continues.