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Why do all the best-paid people go on strike?

Teachers, construction workers, basketball players (yes, basketball players)...

At 9/10/12 06:24 PM, RacistBassist wrote: Some of the lowest scores in the nation, with a high average wage?

Better strike about how we're not getting paid enough for our performance

That's not what they're striking about. Have a read through this.

http://www.ctunet.com/blog/excerpt/Contract_Bargaining_Updat e_8_22_2012.pdf

Here's some gems:

The Board is proposing to do away with 18 separate articles in the
contract that relate to details of our work day such as our class load, our breaks, and the nature of our
work assignments. These include Article 4 (Elementary School), 5 (Middle School), 6 (High School), 7
(Elementary School Counselors), 9 (PSRPs), etc. The Union is proposing language that would guarantee
that the Board follow their promises on prep time, staffing, and breaks.

Class Size: The Board is proposing that it continue following its current policy. The Union is seeking to
lower class sizes and make class size subject to effective enforcement.

Evaluation: The Board is proposing to implement a plan in which student test scores and surveys will
eventually be 50% of a teacherâEUTMs evaluation (by year 5). The Union is proposing a lower cap on âEUoeStudent
Growth Measures,âEU revisions to the âEUoecut scoresâEU that determine ratings (i.e., how many points are
required for a proficient rating) as well as an appeal process.

The UNION is seeking (1) the ability to grieve any disciplinary matters. Currently discipline is NOT
subject to appeal through the grievance procedure. The Union is also proposing to (2) eliminate unpaid
suspensions, (3) to require the Board to provide relevant documentation to our field staff prior to
hearings involving our members and (4) the removal of the âEUoeDo Not HireâEU designation.
The BOARD attempted to eliminate our long-standing definition of a grievance, place restrictions on
Union access to the schools, allow the Board to consolidate grievances at will, remove the requirement
for principals to attend grievance hearings and give us less time to file grievances while giving the Board
more time to respond.

The BOARD is still trying to remove the following articles completely: Article 4 (Elementary School), 5
(Middle School), 6 (High School), 7 (Elementary School Counselors), 8 (Professional Development
Teachers), 9 (PSRPs), 10 (Counselors), 11 (Driver Education Teachers), 13 (Extracurricular Personnel), 15
(Librarians), 16 (Physical Education Teachers), 17 (Playground Teachers), 19 (Psychologists), 20 (School
Social Workers), 21 (Special Education Teachers), 22 (Stadium Directors), 25 (Teacher Assistants), and
26 (School Nurses).

I support the teachers. Education is the absolute LAST place cuts should being made. Furthermore, to counter your point about low test scores, how is that the teacher's fault? The STUDENT is responsible for his own learning. If he doesn't do his homework, or doesn't study, or doesn't pay attention in class, how is that the teacher's fault? Or what about the kids in Chicago who live in dire poverty? How is it the fault of the teacher if a child can't or wont do his class work because he's busy worrying about his wretched home situation? If we pay teachers based on test scores, then all the good teachers will go to the rich kid schools and the D average teachers will teach in the slums. Then what are we left with? A well educated rich and an uneducated poor. Isn't it time for some actual PROGRESS?

At 9/10/12 06:05 PM, MrSoxfan wrote: The chicago teachers are on strike

AGAIN?