Walk-ins' Demonstrate Opposition to QEO, Support for All Teachers

Teachers in several school districts, mostly in the Fox Cities, staged "walk-ins" Tuesday morning (September 30) to demonstrate united opposition to the Qualified Economic Offer law and support for colleagues throughout the state involved in contract disputes.

Teachers in Green Bay, Appleton, Neenah, Fond du Lac, and other scattered districts gathered outside their school buildings at the start of the school day and walked in together just in time for their first classes. The activity was organized by the Fox Cities Caucus, but some districts outside the area also participated.

Teachers typically arrive inside their school buildings long before their first class to prepare for the school day, stay long past their last class, and often take work home. However, they are not paid for those extra hours. Teachers in some school districts are protesting stalled contract negotiations by refusing to work those extra hours not specified in the contract -- a job action referred to as "work to rule" or "work to contract."

The teachers participating in Tuesday's action were not involved in a job action. They were involved in a brief demonstration of unity, outside of working hours.

Tuesday was the 92nd day since all teacher contracts in the state expired, and 303 are still unsettled. The stalemates are the result of the Qualified Economic Offer law, which has stunted the negotiations process. The QEO law allows school boards to avoid arbitration by making a minimal contract offer to teachers.

Some local teachers unions are flat out refusing to accept the QEO and are involved in "work to contract" job actions or similar activities to challenge the QEO. In September, Madison teachers staged a one-day sick-out which closed most schools for the day. Other locals, including New Berlin, Germantown, Racine and Nicolet, are involved in some sort of job actions.