Dec 5, 2008

WTU/AFT- A Pleasant Surprise !

On Thursday evening, the Washington Teachers' Union Executive Board meeting held a special meeting with board members, AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFT staff to discuss our next steps. I must say I was pleasantly surprised because for the first time in a really long time we were all really together.

Stay tuned for our soon to be released press release. The suspense will be well worth the wait. (Posted by The Washington Teacher).

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that the meeting went well. Our Union has been divided for far too long, which has allowed Rhee and her right wing agenda to take control of the national debate on education reform. Let's hope that the WTU and the AFT will swiftly and smartly start a publicity campaign to get the truth out about the condition of DCPS under Rhee's control and provide a real platform for meaningful change.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful ! Teachers are supposed to be happy and having fun teaching kids. Teachers are not giving up their tenure for some 38 year old running a school system for the first time with unproven educational approaches of experimental, radical administrative disorganized reform under NCLB.We didn't even get the money for the increased accountability.That ship is going to sink to the bottom of the sea and Rhee needs to go open her own autonomus schools. Meaningful change that is directed toward support,resources and development with training. It's not fair to be firing all these teachers and principles working under these conditions and it's a systemic and operational administrative, created political NCLB ship sinking to the bottom to the sea.We're getting a new Secretary Of Education and hopefully one in touch with what's going on that's cool and fun.What are they taking off that NCLB and 10% ship before it sinks ? It's great everyone is talking and trying to compromise to work things out. Rhee needs to listen to those more experienced for direction and if she will, they'll help her make a difference and solve the issues.

Anonymous said...

It is great that everyone is talking??? Hellooooo!!! It is DECEMBER! They are just now talking and discussing what they will do???? Why are you telling them "good job!" THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE MONTHS AGO!!! The reason they haven't all been together...hmmm??? Let's ask Candi!!! We are paying our dues so the union can work together and "this is the first time in a long time that we have all been together!" Awww.. I feel like crying!

Anonymous said...

There is a lot of legal work going on behind the scenes in all this crisis barganining and it's involved. Per Dan Lips with NRO the Charter school law attracted bi partisan support including Bill Clinton helping an estimated 20,000 students transfer out of the DC district's broken school system. Talk about shut this radical educational reform down and that ball is in play. This school system could be turned around but you need a superintendent that's supported and the building resources and needs met.

Anonymous said...

Two years later Rhee is in discussions about alternative education strategic steering for prevention measures viewing school violence ? Better late than never!

Anonymous said...

Don't forget that Abolishment Statute in appeals and what happened on that and the 1601.7 (d) 1601.9 licensure ?

Anonymous said...

Response to Anonymous # 3: Many of us have been trying to get something done for a long time before now. Let's keep the facts in perspective. One year ago- our WTU Executive Board requested help from the AFT due to our concerns and signed a mutual contract in March 2008 for their assistance to help us in a number of areas. This past Thursday's meeting is the culmination of what we requested one year ago.

Anonymous said...

I am angry too at how passive the WTU has been for years but focusing on that right now will do nothing but keep us arguing with one other.

There is a war being waged against public education in this country and we need to start responding accordingly.

Anonymous said...

I have a different philosophy than the anonymous #7 poster. I don't have time to be angry with what the WTU hasn't done. The WTU isn't just our elected leaders. Teachers and service providers make up the WTU. If we don't like what is happening to us then it is incumbent upon us to get involved and change it. At least that's my take. What gets me under the collar is the apathy, the unwillingness to become involved in matters that impact student achievement and our occupational careers/futures. At last Tuesdays delegate assembly meeting we had less than 30 school building representatives attend our meeting. I can't think of anything more passive than that. What I can't understand is how people criticize others when all they do is sit on the sidelines.

Anonymous said...

Go to the Obama web site and take your seat at the table ! We're getting all our Public School builings fixed and supported and the roads. The deal is, states use it or lose it and they're to spend the money on school buildings. That's awesome ! Computors are going into all of our American School buildings and new heating and electric.... it's all on there and go check it out !

Anonymous said...

Well...the press release was released!!! AND NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE AFT AND THE WTU TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL?? You have got to be kidding me??? There is a proposal already done...we just need to vote on it. It took a 11 months for the WTU and the AFT to come up with the idea that they are going to come up with a proposal? Things are just continuing to get worse. Why can't you work on the proposal that is already written and make that work for everyone? I don't get it. It will be another 11 months before we even hear from the AFT and then 11 more to get a proposal done. This was the release worth waiting for? You are kidding... there is something more, right?? Please say YES!

Anonymous said...

Response to Anonymous: For the 100th time WE DO NOT HAVE A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ! Rhee and Parker did not complete a tentative agreement to date. They only gave teachers a copy of a pay proposal. A tentative agreement ( or as some people refer to it here a contract) includes many sections. Contract talks between the two stalled before everything was completed. Lastly, both sides also must submit their last and best offer so an incomplete agreement cannot be put to a vote. Get it ?

Anonymous said...

I didn't say a tentative agreement... I said PROPOSAL! I understand that the union and Ms. Rhee did not complete the proposal so that it could become a tentative agreement. So, all the items and discussion that George showed to us at the information sessions is part of the proposal... right? That was more than a pay proposal... This is exactly what I am talking about!!! You are yelling at me and telling me that we don't have a tentative agreement yet... from what I understand we have a proposal that Ms. Rhee and George are working on so that it can become a tentative agreement... For the 100th time??? Honey... you have got to be kidding me.. the union would never have gotten word out 100 times. They can't get it out once!

Anonymous said...

Time consuming and legal.Hang in there !

Anonymous said...

How long can you hang? We have been hanging for over a year now! No MORE HANGING AROUND! We need action!