Member Vote Shows Frustrations Over Revenue Controls, QEO
Local associations want WEAC to continue to advocate
for the repeal of state laws that put at risk the opportunity for every
kid to attend a great school.
That’s the result of an October statewide ballot
of WEAC affiliates. The ballot was required by a motion last April at
the WEAC Representative Assembly. The motion called for an all-member
advisory vote on possible activities to end the current system of revenue
controls and the Qualified Economic Offer law.
As established by more than 1,000 members at the Representative
Assembly, the motion asked members if they would support a broad range
of possible job actions. The vote had the potential to authorize only
one specific action: a special meeting by local leaders to continue discussions
about possible actions to deal with the QEO and revenue controls.
Seventy-three percent of WEAC’s 699 affiliated
locals participated in the balloting. Three hundred twenty affiliated
locals voted to authorize the meeting; 190 locals voted no. A majority
of all local associations (350) – not just those voting – was
required to authorize the special meeting.
“Members sent a clear message that they are frustrated
about the harm inflicted by the QEO and revenue controls,” WEAC President
Stan Johnson said. “It is clear that members want their elected leaders
to continue to advocate for the restoration of fair collective bargaining
and adequate funding of our public schools before they cause even more
damage to public education and children who rely on great teachers and
staff to build better lives.”
Johnson said the families of teachers and education
support professionals are suffering, as teacher wages have fallen below
the national average.
“These laws show a lack of respect for educators,
and have damaged their ability to provide a quality education for every
child in every community,” he said. “They are causing quality
educators to leave the profession, and they are steering young people
away from entering the profession. If Wisconsin expects to build its economy,
it must have classrooms that work for every student. These laws are anti-competitive
and hark back to the days of Richard Nixon’s failed wage and price
controls.”
More information:
Posted November 11, 2002