The Observation Deck

The teacher union thugs in Strongsville are at it again. They have requested the names and addresses of every sub that crossed the picket line. I believe the school district will have to release the names, but what reason, other than to intimidate future subs, would they have to ask for them?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/05/20/oh ... ore-state/

As a member of OEA, (retired) and previously being very involved on several levels in my teacher association in the district where I taught for many years, (not speaking here of Lakewood or Strongsville) I have yet to meet a "thug" in a teacher association, whether in a leadership position, or among the membership. To the contrary, I feel honored to have been associated with dedicated professional educators who also happen to believe that they should be fairly compensated for their professionalism.

Teacher associations advocate for better pay, benefits, and working conditions for teachers. There is a also a defined legal process in Ohio and nationwide that teacher associations and school boards agree to follow in order to insure that no unfair labor practices occur.

Being from another school district's teacher association, I will not comment on the Strongsville strike, but in general, most negotiations in most communities are resolved without resorting to strikes. Collective bargaining has been around in the private sector since the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, and in the public sector since the 1960's. It's been my experience to observe that collective bargaining generally works quite well to resolve most problems relating to salaries, working conditions, and benefits.

When there is an impasse, there are methods, such as binding arbitration, that can be agreed upon and employed in order to bring negotiators back to the table. Strikes are almost always viewed as being counter-productive, and very costly for all sides. In order for a strike to happen these days, I believe that, quite often, either one side or the other REALLY wants that sort of thing to happen. Indeed, since collective bargaining for teachers was made Ohio law about 30 years ago, there have been very few teacher strikes.

It is well known that the right of public employees to bargain collectively has come under fire by certain political groups lately. As well, it would seem that some in those same groups seem to want to foster a greater atmosphere of confrontation, rather than compromise, regarding public sector employees. In Ohio for example, teachers and other public employees were recently able to halt at the ballot box a serious effort to limit collective bargaining.

There are a number of factors in play regarding whether a public information request on those addresses in question should be allowed. This will wind its way through the courts, of course. Time will tell how this particular public records request will turn out.

That point made, in my view at least, going through the courts to resolve a legal issue, and being an alleged "thug", are two different things entirely.

Note: The personal opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of any group that I may be affiliated with.

Gary,

Do you have any idea why they would even want that information, other than to use it as intimidation? You heard teachers followed subs home during the strike and protested outside of their homes right?

The unions may not have endorsed thuggery when you were there but the behavior in Strongsville seems to fit the criteria.

Ryan,

You and I know each other pretty well, and I want you to understand that I certainly respect you, and I enjoy your company and your insight whenever we meet.

That said, as with any two people, we sometimes disagree, and sometimes come from two different perspectives. Those perspectives may be influencing our opinions as to what might really be going on with this court case.

I would simply suggest here that a strike is very closely related to a war. When communications through normal channels break down, battle lines are drawn. Positions are assumed, and conflict is the sad result.

Fortunately, I never went through a strike personally, but in the district where I taught, we came VERY close a few times, and prior to my teaching there, there was a strike, and for years afterwards, I believe that there were hard feelings at times.

When a strike is over, all is supposed to be forgiven and forgotten, but....

I can only hope that the situation in Strongsville will be resolved by the court. If the Association's position is found to be without merit, then that will be that. I have no idea why they would want the information they are seeking, and I would assume, neither do you. We both presumably only know part of that story, and so it is.

Conflicts are exactly that. They are not pretty. That is why I would hope that most people would prefer to negotiate than fight.

Back to the banjo...


Note: The personal opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of any group that I may be affiliated with.

Gary,

I have no idea why they would want the information they are seeking, and I would assume, neither do you

That is true I don't, but do you have any idea what the reason could be other than intimidation?

Here is a reminder of how the teachers behaved.
http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/20/strik ... -teachers/

http://www.cleveland.com/strongsville/i ... est_1.html

http://www.cleveland.com/strongsville/i ... eache.html

Ryan,

As I said, I could only speculate as to why the request was made. Your guess is as good as mine.

Without directly commenting on your particular links, it is my opinion that news sources are not exactly the same thing as sworn court affidavits.

Actually, as in war, there are rules, and fairly strict ones, governing strike actions.

When teachers prepare to strike, they are made aware of very strict guidelines regarding where to picket, when to picket, what to say and not to say, and how to conduct themselves while on strike.

Are there individuals ON BOTH SIDES of a strike that may not always act in accordance with those guidelines in the passion of the moment? Well, after all, people are people, but that said, anyone going outside of those guidelines risks a great deal, both personally and professionally.

I personally feel that in attempting to make your point, you are also underscoring my opinion that negotiations and discussions are preferable to confrontational situations.

Once again please note: The opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of any group that I may be affiliated with.

Back to the banjo...