Oct 4, 2008

WTU 'Mans Up' Againt Rhee !


Recently- Chancellor Michelle Rhee told Washington Teachers' Union President George Parker to 'man up' and I guess that's what he's doing as reported by Chris Garlock in this weeks October 3rd edition of Union City :

"PARKER FIRES BACK AT RHEE OVER "PLAN B": "You can't fire your way to a quality school system," Washington Teacher's Union Local 6 President George Parker told Union City Thursday. Parker was reacting to DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee's announcement Thursday morning that she plans to end-run the union contract. "I'll tell you this: we're going to protect the rights of our teachers against arbitrary and capricious abuse. That's not going to happen," Parker vowed. Talks have bogged down over Rhee's controversial proposal to offer teachers higher pay in return for her ability to terminate "ineffective"teachers. "She could fire all 4,000 teachers tomorrow and it wouldn't solve the school system's problems," said Parker. "Those problems are systemic and we're deeply disappointed that the Chancellor is instead choosing to focus on firing teachers instead of addressing these issues." Parker pointed to Rhee's failure to deal with shortages of teachers, continuing student safety issues and a lack of professional development for teachers. "Yet these are the same teachers who -despite all the turmoil last year - created the greatest growth in student test scores last year !" DC teachers "could do a lot more in the classroom if they get the systemic support they need," Parker said, "But you can't threaten your way to success." Rhee's unilateral actions mean the WTU "has to decide if further negotiations are a waste of time and we need to move to impasse," Parker added. Go Parker Go !!!! Posted by The Washington Teacher.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

If thats "manning up" then the union leadership is far worse than I thought and I already had a low opinion. Whining to a union paper which few will read (and will be preaching to the choir for those who do) is not action or leadership.

So several days later and what has changed? No contract or any word about it or whats next from the union, Plan B being implemented and Rhee moving forward with or without the union, and leadership whines and continues doing nothing, does that about cover it?

DC Teacher Chic said...

I predicted the union's outrage days ago. The fact is, Rhee is going to see that bad teachers are fired under 90 day plans, and there is NOTHING you or the union can do to stop it!

Anonymous said...

Ineffective teachers could always be fired under 90 day plans- that's nothing new. You get no outrage from me on that. However, I do expect that our chancellor must develop an educational plan as required and provide the appropriate resources and support to teachers and local schools. Having class sizes over ratio and teachers working outside their certification area are just not acceptable to students or teachers. Now there's something to be outraged about.

Anonymous said...

Well said Candi! I don't understand how money can blind so many people. Rhee thought that if she placed a lot of money in the faces of poor broke teachers that she would be able to slide her real agenda of union busting on the table. She is trying to make a name for herself and she is doing it at the expense of DCPS children.
I hope that all the "others" realize that the 90 day plan was in effect about 7 superintendents ago...Rhee has done anything. Explain to me again her Plan B???

bendygirl said...

Oh yeah, the anti-union co-worker hating DC Teacher Chic weighs in, excellent!!

In 90 days, what happens when you're fired because you don't make the cut? And the cut I'm talking about here is the lack of transparency on what the standards will be for firing teachers. But hey, if you want to put all your eggs in the Rhee basket, go ahead. But don't think for one second this has anything to do with the kids in your classrooms. It doesn't. Which is why there are slots STILL NOT FILLED! None of this is about the kids or "effectiveness" it's about breaking your union so Rhee can have more flexibility to fire and hire down the road and to hell with any accountability, except that which is created by Rhee and Fenty.

The union fights for the DC teacher chic just as much as it does for any other teacher in the system. This is called solidarity. Perhaps it's a concept you haven't yet taught your students yet. Oh wait, it's probably not on the test.

Anonymous said...

Meet operational needs in American school buildings !That's a good start for educational reform ! American Teacher's March in Washington !NCLB and 10% ? GS 115C-325 but you have to have principle's and teacher's in your building !GS 94-142 and call the Education Law Association! Rhee is headed for a class action law suit!"Power of our example than by the example of our power." BC Okay, MR. Parker but we've got that march on go now and we'll take a freight train in !Have the flower beds around the school buildings been planted ? Don't step on the flowers !Pearl oysters are not widely eaten and don't choke on the pearls !Icebergs ahead Rhee !Principle's need an operational budget to run a business and so do teacher's !Please meet operational needs in all American school buildings!Three legged stool executive top down is broken and relax, cause Mr.Parker sees it !Sleep better tonight and he sees it !Who's going to pay for this class action law suit, the mayor or tax payers ?The buildings are not operationally on go and her principle's are being fired for going to bat on that !Operational needs ! Just a fair guess from research read and this is a straight talking freight train !We'll jump on the bus too !We need a marching band! Pick one from the Blues Brothers and the O'Jay's and really want, "Shake,Rattle and Roll." can you say,quantum meruit? As the court concluded,a change in the contract terms could not be implemented without a statutorily-prescribed notice and a hearing. Due Process proceedual violations !Liquidated damages clauses, and the couts will enforce them when it is difficult for the parties to a contract to determine the monetary value of a breach of contract? Are there other remedies available when one party breaches a contract ?The courts have the power to issue orders,known as writs of mandamus to force school officials to comply with the terms of a contract ! The impossibility of contract is systematic !Rhee, meet your operational needs in buildings and the principles can't operate with no budget to run their business but it's interesting that teacher's can make up to $132,000 ? We can't afford to fix GS 94-142 but let's get a contract and offer merit pay and $132,000 ? Sitting on the dock of the bay and don't waste Mr. Parker's time, Mrs. Rhee !Watching the tide roll away!Free from political or arbitary interference ...! Beam us up for the march Scottie ! Find that re-authorization team !Why don't we get out our educational law books and keep them on this channel! Everybody chip in and team up !Never throw the first punch but grew up with a dad that said, throw the last !As he slapped a steak on my eye, cause moms always say ladies don't fight !Of course,those were the day's of the Orginal Hampster Dance !Keep the faith !

Anonymous said...

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER'S GO AFTER THE GREEN CHIP STOCKS !We want balance with the vouchers and independent charter schools but give them a run for their money !Nothing wrong with a friendly competition !

Anonymous said...

Title III Language Acquisition Act of NCLB ! Reduced funding for teacher training,research and funds available per eligible student as well as support services! Join hands !Don't you know that it's time !Don't miss the train !See Judge Cole's 6th District call on funding with NCLB !

Anonymous said...

Thirty eight years old and has gone reform questionable and allowed the power of her position to confuse direction of positive mission? What's scary is she doesn't seem see it !Meet the needs operationally in your buildings for principles to carry out effectively their duties of responsibility as they are accountable to all educational operations running a business !The scrub and buff was excellent but don't put the horse before the cart ! You're still on buff and principles need a budget to run their business ! See accounting and audit to view how funds per school buildings have been alloted !Wish you well and all high expectations respected !