Tension Grows as Teachers Mark 100th Day of Working Without a Contract
As most teachers in Wisconsin mark Day 100 of working without a contract,
unrest continues to grow in school districts throughout the state.
Wednesday, October 8, was the 100th day since all teacher contracts in
the state expired on June 30. There are still 301 unsettled teacher contracts.
Many teachers, angry about the protracted negotiations resulting from
the Qualified Economic Offer law, are engaging in job actions or are in
the early stages of planning job actions.
Following is an update of activities in some locals:
Madison: Teachers again gathered outside a school board meeting
Monday night to show unity. Madison teachers so far have engaged in the
most dramatic job action: a one-day work stoppage that shut down most
Madison schools August 25. They also have implemented a work-to-rule job
action, picketed outside the school board several times, and held rallies.
The Madison dispute has gone to court, and a judge has given the two sides
until October 27 to resolve their differences.
New Berlin: A general membership meeting was scheduled for Wednesday
night, about a week after the school board announced its intention to
unilaterally impose a QEO. Members will be considering a variety of possible
job actions. New Berlin teachers have come to school dressed in black,
implemented a work-to-the-clock job action and rallied outside a school
board meeting.
Janesville: Teachers have voted to phase in job actions. Teachers
have said they will stop attending school meetings as of October 13. On
October 29, they plan to dress in black, gather outside their schools
in the morning and walk into their buildings together at the start of
the school day. On November 26, they will begin walking out of school
together, and on December 8 they will begin a full work-to-contract action
meaning they will refuse to perform any work not specifically required
by their contract.
Germantown: Teachers are planning a rally Monday night, October
13, outside the school board meeting, and a teacher will speak to the
school board. Teachers are limiting their work hours, not volunteering
for committee work, and wearing buttons. Teachers also have been distributing
leaflets.
Milwaukee: Teachers are discussing a number of possible actions.
Racine: Teachers boycotted open houses and are planning to picket
outside a school board meeting. Other options are under discussion.
Kenosha: At a general membership meeting, teachers agreed to develop
a progressive action plan. On Thursday night, the KEA Board will discuss
preparing a plan and will bring it back to another as yet unscheduled
membership meeting for approval.
Neenah: About 60 teachers attended a school board meeting Tuesday
wearing buttons. The buttons read "Working together without a contract,"
and "Ask me about the unsettled contract." One teacher spoke
to the board.
On Tuesday, September 30, teachers in several Fox Cities school districts
displayed their unity by gathering outside their school buildings at the
start of the school day and walking into their buildings together.
Many other locals are discussing possible job actions. If you know of
a local that is planning activities, please e-mail OnWEAC Editor Bill
Hurley or WEAC Collective Bargaining Director Bob
West.
Posted October 8, 1997