Madison Teachers Conduct Job Action, Picketing & Rally
On the first day of classes, Madison teachers conducted a job action
at their schools, then spent the evening picketing and rallying outside
a school board meeting.
"You are here because you are tired of being insulted," Bill
Keys, president of Madison Teachers Inc., said at the rally. "You
are here tonight because you are furious at the school board's ingratitude."
During the day, the teachers instituted a "work-to-rule" job
action, which means they only are performing duties specifically required
by their contract. They are arriving at school just in time for their
classes and leaving as soon as school is over. After-school clubs and
parent-teacher conferences are in jeopardy, and the district is scrambling
to provide lunchroom and playground supervision. Sports are not affected.
On Monday evening (August 25), teachers carrying picket signs circled
the school administration building, then participated in a rally that
included speeches by Keys, MTI Director John Matthews, State Rep. Marlin
Schneider, and Robert West, WEAC's director of collective bargaining.
Schneider said MTI members were displaying the kind of solidarity that
led to the successful UPS settlement. But it's a shame, he said, that
teachers in one of the best school districts in the country have to engage
"in this type of activity" in an effort to get the school board's
respect.
"Stand tall and stand together and you will win these fights,"
chimed West.
Members on the picket line said they were protesting because they felt
the board was not bargaining in good faith.
"We feel manipulation, not sincerity," said Bert Zipperer,
a guidance counselor at Lincoln Elementary School.
"I want fair treatment by the board," said Diane Brys, a Learning
Disabilities teacher at Hawthorne Elementary. "And then I want to
go about the business of teaching as soon as possible."
MTI is seeking salary increases of about 5.5% in each of the next two
years. The district has offered base salary increases of 0.9% and 1.2%.
Photo: MTI Director John Matthews (left) joins Madison teachers
in applauding a rally speech by Robert West (right), WEAC's director of
collective bargaining. [Photo by Bill Hurley]
Posted August 26, 1997