http://themilitant.com/2015/7936/793632.html
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Vol. 79/No. 36 October 12, 2015
—ON THE PICKET LINE—
Maggie Trowe, Editor
Militant/Edwin Fruit
Striking teachers and supporters picket in Kelso, Washington, Sept. 21.
Teachers voted to defy back-to-work injunction, but voted 226-0 for a
new contract before court-set deadline.
Help the Militant cover labor struggles across the country!
This column is dedicated to giving voice to those engaged in battle and
helping build solidarity. ATI Steelworkers are locked out; major
contracts in rail, auto, basic steel and East Coast Verizon have expired
or are approaching expiration. I invite those involved in fights against
concessions to contact me at 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY
10018; or (212) 244-4899; or themilitant@xxxxxxx. We’ll work together
to ensure your story is told.
— Maggie Trowe
Teachers in Kelso, Wash., return to work after 11-day strike
KELSO, Wash. — After striking for 11 days and defying a judge’s
back-to-work order, members of the Kelso Education Association voted
226-0 to approve a contract and return to work Sept. 28.
The teachers, who were working without a contract since June, voted to
strike Sept. 16. Two days later Cowlitz District Court Judge David Koss
ordered the 250 teachers back to work by Sept. 22. The teachers voted
221-20 to defy the injunction and continue their walkout.
The main sticking point for teachers was compensation for nonteaching
days, preparatory time and grading papers.
“We are willing to do extra work and have an increased load of
students,” said Angie Blum, a teacher for 29 years, on the picket line
Sept. 21, “but we want to be compensated for this.”
The new contract provides pay for 10 extra days, two more than the
school district proposed, five this year and five more next year.
Teachers had demanded 13 days.
The judge found the union and its president, Sharon Dolan, in contempt
of court Sept. 25 and said he would fine the union $2,000 a day starting
Sept. 28 if teachers didn’t return to work.
Kelso is adjacent to Longview, where the International Longshore and
Warehouse Union fought the EGT grain terminal bosses’ union-busting
assault in 2011-12, and the Association of Western Pulp and Paper
Workers recently struck KapStone Paper.
During the strike parents and students as well as postal and longshore
unionists joined the picketing.
“Washington state is 42nd in class size nationwide and they are
increasing the number of students we teach in a year,” Lonna Devora, a
science teacher at Coweeman Middle School, told the Militant Sept. 21.
“Kelso teachers want equitable pay with Longview and other nearby
districts. In addition they are lengthening the school day without any
compensation.”
“The teachers are teaching the next generation and they are always there
for us,” said Kyle Torgerson, a junior at Kelso High, who was on the
line with his picket sign.
Several teachers are spouses of Kapstone workers, and others said they
were inspired by Seattle and Pasco teachers who recently struck for
better contracts.
—Edwin Fruit and John Naubert
After one-week strike, Seattle teachers approve contract
SEATTLE — After a weeklong strike, Seattle teachers voted 83 percent to
accept a proposed contract Sept. 20.
While the main demand was a pay increase and compensation for longer
days, the union made gains on other issues that helped garner community
support. These included increased recess time for elementary school
students, opposition to excessive student testing and concern about
racial discrimination in discipline of students.
At the ratification meeting teachers expressed a range of opinions about
the contract.
“I feel good about it,” third grade teacher Jill McGrath told the
Militant. “There is room for improvement. The parents are backing us.
Now it’s the legislature’s turn to do their part to find the funding to
support education.”
“Those most opposed to the contract were nurses and counselors who were
trying to lower the number of students they are responsible for,” said
administrative secretary Paula Murray.
“I support the union,” said Peter Koslik, a special education
instructional assistant. “But I’m learning quickly that I’m working a
job that doesn’t cover my cost of living. Boeing gets multimillion
dollar handouts but teachers can’t get a raise that covers what it costs
to live in Seattle. A lot of good people are busting their hind ends to
help the children.”
Brian Black, a history teacher at Franklin High school, said the strike
and settlement “are an important victory for working people. We won some
important concessions from the school district. We discovered our
collective power. That being said, we could have won more. The union
leadership was not prepared to lead the kind of fight that the
rank-and-file was ready to wage.” He added, “Thanks for putting an
article in the Militant about the strike.”
— Edwin Fruit and John Naubert
Related articles:
Join Oct. 11 march for rail safety in Quebec!
Rail workers framed up for gov’t, boss disaster
Steelworkers picket ArcelorMittal mills protesting bosses’ cutback demands
VW scandal: Bosses junk safety in drive for profits
Deaths on the job rise as union membership falls
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