Michigan: Tougher Penalties For Illegal Teacher Strikes Debated

[Purveyor]

Source: Detroit Free Press

Legislation that would revoke teacher licenses for two years or permanently as punishment for illegal strikes would be an effective deterrent, some lawmakers said today.

Rep. Bill Rogers, R-Brighton, said students can get expelled for violating district rules. “Yet we say that educators can break the law and walk away scot-free.”

A bill introduced by Rogers and another introduced by Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, were discussed in a nearly two-hour hearing in Lansing before the House Education Committee today.

The legislation comes on the heels of concerns that the Michigan Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, might call a statewide strike in response to proposed cuts to schools and new rules that allow emergency managers to terminate collective bargaining agreements.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20110420/NEWS06/110420030/Tougher-penalties-illegal-teacher-strikes-debated?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[Brickbat]

1. Strike anyway. This is just getting stupid.

[Imajika]

2. That's an easy thing to say if your job isn't on the line...

n/t

[Brickbat]

3. I've said it when it was my job on the line.

[socialist_n_TN]

15. EVERYBODY'S job is on the line nowdays........

Are you ready to work 7 days a week for $.24 an hour? That's what it'll take to make American workers competitive with Honduran workers. Are you ready for that?

Shit, I'd rather rob or steal.

[tonybgood]

6. Just resign.

If I were a teacher in Michigan I'd resign effective immediately, turn in my Michigan teachers license and leave the state. Don't want me here, see ya!!! Let's see what would happen if the entire teaching profession in Michigan decided to walk. Republican assemblymen going to have them arrested and forced back into the classroom? I think not. Come on Michigan teacher's union; call their bluff and then go one up on them!!!

[Imajika]

16. The Republicans would love that...

"Let's see what would happen if the entire teaching profession in Michigan decided to walk."

Oh Lord, the Republicans would LOVE that. They'd declare an emergency, fire all the teachers that walked out and hire scabs - only this time with no union contracts.

You know how bad the unemployment rate is in Michigan? The state would have no trouble filling those jobs. Would they be the good teachers that are currently in place? No. But they'd be cheaper and answer to the Republicans in charge.

PATCO workers thought there was no way they'd all be terminated and replaced, yet Reagan did exactly that without skipping a beat.

[Old and In the Way]

4. The Republican solution always involves jail time.

Never address the root cause, always punish.

[Festivito]

7. And making government bigger and bigger at the same time. /nt

[TygrBright]

5. There's a way to make this a dead letter overnight: Solidarity.

Every teacher in the state. Solid. No one shows up to work, everyone hits the picket line.

The State is then without licensed teachers.

This is only a threat if the teachers don't have solidarity.

It's not easy, but it's doable. There are people still alive in Poland who can give you a step-by-step account of how it worked for them.

Come to think of it, some of them may well have emigrated to Michigan by now. They might be right in your own back yard.

Ask about it.

"Solidarity."

helpfully,
Bright

[SoapBox]

13. Bravo to your post.

[knitter4democracy]

19. It's not easy given how many teachers are out of work.

We have 800-1000 applicants for every teaching job opening, even in small districts that don't pay that great. It wouldn't be impossible for them to replace every one of us, and it would hurt our message that we're needed and should be respected.

I vote for a work slow-down--only teach to the contract and nothing else. No early times, no late tutoring for free, no grading at home, no college rec letters, nothing.

[corpseratemedia]

8. wow sure is s/th going on with fascism and our Great Lake states...

[sinkingfeeling]

9. What makes a strike 'illegal'? If the union calls for it?

[Casandia]

10. This is because the MEA

has had the teachers vote if they would be willing to go on strike if necessary. The MEA (Michigan Education Assoc.) has not revealed the numbers yet, but my neighbor said his distict was at about 80% yes - strike! The governor is trying to scare the teachers.

[Bozita]

11. Striking teachers should be treated just like the banksters who "F"ed the economy

Just turn the DOJ loose on 'em!

Just like the banksters.

[SoapBox]

14. I want a bumper sticker like that sign...

"May 1933...Hitler Abolishes Unions"

...'nuff said right there.

[SoapBox]

12. Outrageous! I want a law that prevents the RushThugs/T.HaterBaggers from taking away our rights...

...as Americans.

Wake up America! Before the Thugs and their CrookedCronies take AWAY ALL our rights to vote.

[loudsue]

17. Now THAT, my friend, is slavery.

At least, it's capitalism's closest relative to slavery.

ASSHOLES!!

[jimlup]

18. It will be a question of solidarity

If we can stay together and all strike together then they can't revoke the license and fire all the teachers in the state. We have to stand firm against their union busting tactics.