The state legislature is working on an act that could improve the relationship between teachers, students and parents.
Rep. Bob Bastian of Somerset is one of 24 sponsors of the Strike-Free Education Act. The proposed law would make it illegal for teachers to go on strike.
However, it would also bar binding arbitration as a means of settling labor disputes. Under binding arbitration, a third party looks at both sides's best offers and a makes a contract based on a compromise philosophy.
Instead of binding arbitration, the act would require both sides in the dispute to meet in negotiating sessions four times a month and hold a public meeting every six weeks until the issue is settled.
The act is definitely worth pursuing.
Under present regulations, strikes primarily hurt parents and children who need to deal with changes in the school schedule and a new end of year date. School board members and administrators hear from the upset parents and also deal with difficulties made by the new class schedule.
Teacher compensation is based on an approximately 180-day school year. As long as the days are made up, teachers do not forego a pay loss such as strikers at other businesses that are open throughout the year.
When teachers go on strike, it strains the relationship with their students and community. Young minds try to comprehend what the strike means and they can come up with the wrong conclusion.
Labor issues need to stay out of the classroom. There needs to be another means for unions to prove their point without interrupting the school day.
At the same time, the act needs to make a clear ending point for negotiations to end.Labels: career training.news, education online, financial aid, free college, free education, high school |
