Portland Students Pack School Board Meeting, Back Teachers Union

[Omaha Steve]

http://labornotes.org/2014/01/portland-students-pack-school-board-meeting-back-teachers-union

January 15, 2014 / Alexia Garcia


Portland students say their teachers' union is on their side—unlike the school board. They packed a board meeting to demand a fair, student-centered contract. Photo: Bette Lee. - See more at: http://labornotes.org/2014/01/portland-students-pack-school-board-meeting-back-teachers-union#sthash.bx3sL5Cy.dpuf

Students, teachers, parents, and members of 10 local unions packed the Portland, Oregon, school board meeting Monday in solidarity with union teachers.

Students made clear that if the district does not settle a fair contract, we would stand alongside our teachers on the picket line. “Stay at the table! Don’t impose!” we declared at the demonstration. “If you do, we’ll strike, too!” The crowd numbered more than 400.

The Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) has been negotiating with the district for nine months. Management can choose to impose its contract at any time.

The district’s original proposal began with 75 takebacks that would grant management more rights than ever. PAT’s initial proposal, “The Schools Portland Students Deserve,” highlighted that teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions. It included proposals that would benefit both, such as caps on class sizes, additional prep time for teachers, and wraparound services for students.

- See more at: http://labornotes.org/2014/01/portland-students-pack-school-board-meeting-back-teachers-union#sthash.bx3sL5Cy.dpuf

FULL story at link.

[gopiscrap]

1. Good for them

I hope it serves a wake up call in their memories that when they are adults, they remember the importance of a strong union!

[AllyCat]

2. Yeah for our youth! Way to speak out Americans!