Striking
In every job I have ever had, I have walked in during really nasty contract negotiations. Probably a result of a) state governments not giving schools the money they need to keep class sizes reasonable and b) the rapid rate of growth in health care premiums. So I am used to being told there is no contract for me to sign, hearing the negotiating team asking teachers to vote on different proposals, and talking about Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA's) with people who don't follow that you lose money when you don't move up each year.
Through all of that, I have never gone on strike.
Tomorrow morning at 7 am that will change. I am reporting to the picket line bright and early. I will not be getting paid, I will not pass go, and will not collect $200.
I will however be enjoying my freedom as an American to strike for better work conditions and better pay.
As a young girl, I remember being on the picket line with my mom. She was a speech pathologist striking with the other teachers at the elementary school I went to. With day care too expensive with no income, the other kids and I played in snow banks and make great forts while our parents walked around in a circle with signs in their arms. Occasionally someone would either honk in support or yell nasty things out their windows like, "Greedy Goddam Teachers!" I also remember someone bringing the picketers coffee and my mom being worried about money.
So tomorrow is my turn. No child in tow, but at the same time worried about money.
When a girl from another office told me today that if she were part of the union she is not sure she would take part, I told her why strikes have been so important in American History. I went on to argue that unions have been one of the most organized groups working toward and achieving social justice in the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States. I was appalled at her lack of political awareness as well as her lack of history knowledge. I was glad however that she is not a part of the union. I hope she likes it next year when the academy decides to not give her a raise and she and her fellow comrades are unable to do a single thing about it.
That is why we have unions, sweetheart.
Although I am the only person in my office as part of the union, my co-workers are all in support and have pledged to come visit me with treats out on the line. In my honor they all put on buttons today supporting the strike. It is times like these that I am glad I work with progressive, socially aware people.
I agree unions aren't always good, and in fact, sometimes they can go overboard protecting workers from any sort of accountability, but what is YOUR alternative? If the workers are out there fighting, but meanwhile paying out of pocket for medical care and not recieving a paycheck, it is not just for fun. It means they are probably getting treated badly.
So support your local strikers, because it could be you next.
Through all of that, I have never gone on strike.
Tomorrow morning at 7 am that will change. I am reporting to the picket line bright and early. I will not be getting paid, I will not pass go, and will not collect $200.
I will however be enjoying my freedom as an American to strike for better work conditions and better pay.
As a young girl, I remember being on the picket line with my mom. She was a speech pathologist striking with the other teachers at the elementary school I went to. With day care too expensive with no income, the other kids and I played in snow banks and make great forts while our parents walked around in a circle with signs in their arms. Occasionally someone would either honk in support or yell nasty things out their windows like, "Greedy Goddam Teachers!" I also remember someone bringing the picketers coffee and my mom being worried about money.
So tomorrow is my turn. No child in tow, but at the same time worried about money.
When a girl from another office told me today that if she were part of the union she is not sure she would take part, I told her why strikes have been so important in American History. I went on to argue that unions have been one of the most organized groups working toward and achieving social justice in the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States. I was appalled at her lack of political awareness as well as her lack of history knowledge. I was glad however that she is not a part of the union. I hope she likes it next year when the academy decides to not give her a raise and she and her fellow comrades are unable to do a single thing about it.
That is why we have unions, sweetheart.
Although I am the only person in my office as part of the union, my co-workers are all in support and have pledged to come visit me with treats out on the line. In my honor they all put on buttons today supporting the strike. It is times like these that I am glad I work with progressive, socially aware people.
I agree unions aren't always good, and in fact, sometimes they can go overboard protecting workers from any sort of accountability, but what is YOUR alternative? If the workers are out there fighting, but meanwhile paying out of pocket for medical care and not recieving a paycheck, it is not just for fun. It means they are probably getting treated badly.
So support your local strikers, because it could be you next.
posted by KLOU | 6:34 PM
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