Tag: UTLA

PJSTA Resolution in Support of UTLA Strike

Passed today by the PJSTA Executive Board…

Whereas United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) is currently waging pro-active contract campaign fighting not just for improved salary and benefits, but also for improved working and learning conditions, such as lower class sizes; more counselors, nurses, librarians, and other support personnel; less time on standardized testing; support for Special Education, Early Education and Adult Education Programs; and support for model community schools as an alternative to corporate-driven, privately-run charter schools.

And whereas UTLA is preparing to strike this week for a contract that invests in their students, their schools, and their educators,

And whereas the success of UTLA- one of the largest teacher union locals in the country- will have ramifications for locals throughout the United States,

And whereas the powerful cross-local unity exhibited during the red state teacher strikes of last spring, resulting in increased salaries and funding for public education, brought educators together irrespective of state or national affiliation,

Therefore be it resolved that the Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association commits to supporting solidarity actions in support of the UTLA strike, including:

  • Publicizing the progress of the UTLA strike
  • Discussing the status of the strike and the issues surrounding it in our building meetings, as well as organizing solidarity actions at every work site.
  • Preparing members to wear red shirts to work (“Red for Ed”) in solidarity with UTLA
  • Taking solidarity photos of PJSTA members and sharing them on social media
  • Making a financial contribution to UTLA’s strike fun and encouraging all our members to do the same

Be it finally resolved that the PJSTA Executive Board will take responsibility for implementing this motion.

 

More Opposition to RTTT

Recently we shared with you the story of the UTLA, who would not sign their district’s application for Race to the Bottom Top (RTTT).  We recently received the message of gratitude posted below from the UTLA:

Dear President Beth Dimino,

UTLA President Fletcher asked that I write to on his behalf. Thank you so much for your post:  http://thepjsta.org/2012/11/02/bravo-utla/

UTLA and Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association stand in solidarity!

In Los Angeles, as you know, signing a RTTT grant application commiting more than $43.3 million to bring in $40 million, with undetermined on-going costs, at the same time we’re seeing higher class sizes due to the number of layoffs we’ve endured for five years in a row now — that would have been irresponsible. $4.3 million equals roughly 39 teachers and health and human services educators. Our classrooms and communities need smaller class sizes, not more beauracracy, which is what the RTTT grant would have created.

From our hearts to yours, thank you again for your post. It really means alot to us to see other locals recognizing that Race to the Top does not equate to reform and/or progress.

In Unity,

David

David Lyell
UTLA Secretary (elected)
213.368.6244

UTLA.net<http://UTLA.net>
Twitter.com/UTLANow<http://Twitter.com/UTLANow>
Facebook.com/UTLANow<http://Facebook.com/UTLANow>
Youtube.com/UTLAnow<http://Youtube.com/UTLAnow>
Utlanet.tumblr.com<http://Utlanet.tumblr.com>

Now another teachers union is emerging heroically in the fight for the soul of public education.  Ronnie Greco, President of the Jersey City Education Association, has refused to sign his district’s application for RTTT as well.

JCEA’s Ronnie Greco

Jersey Jazzman (a blog all of us should be reading) has a great summary of the situation.  Diane Ravitch has added Greco to her “honor roll of heroes of public education.”

Jersey Jazzman says:

This is very, very important for any teacher who cares about the future of his or her career to understand: this grant would have enshrined a series of practices that would have destroyed teacher protections, compensation, and work conditions – and have never been proven to increase student achievement.

and goes on to say…

It seems that the issues here are largely the same as the ones that came up during theChicago strike: teacher working conditions are student learning conditions. If you can’t show that any of these practices are going to help students learn – and, let’s be clear, as Greco outlines them, you can’t – then no teachers union should agree to them.

Bravo Ronnie Greco JCEA!  Your fight is our fight!

Bravo UTLA!

Kudos to the United Teachers of Los Angeles who refused to give in to pressure from LA’s public schools.  The district attempted to use the the Race to the Top application to strong arm the UTLA into accepting a new teacher evaluation system based on high stakes standardized testing scores.

As a result the Los Angeles Unified School District lost out on $40 million in federal funding.  Of course we know from experience that RTTT money actually  isn’t used for anything useful in school districts.  It seems the UTLA’s president Warren Fletcher knows that too.  “Race to the Top costs more than it brings in,” Fletcher said. “You’re essentially setting up a system with a lot of bureaucracy, and those pieces have to stay in place after the grant period.”

UTLA teachers