Heh - I knew this would be posted here today.
I cannot speak for the other schools but I know that Taylor schools is not closed just so they can go protest. It doesn't suprise me that their administration wants everyone to think that although they never come out and state it as fact:
Superintendent says teachers are likely going to be at protests in Lansing over right-to-work. She said she had heard from a principal about where the teachers were going.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/Taylor-schools-to-close-Tuesday-as-teachers-head-to-Lansing/-/1719418/17720160/-/xorcq6/-/index.html
Good - lets use hearsay from a single principle to cover all of the schools in the district. I wasn't aware that a single principle could speak for the actions of all the teachers in all 17 schools.
We happen to be friends with a large number of Taylor teachers who were over Sunday for football. While this day was chosen to coincide with the vote - it was about far more than the vote.
The teachers have been without a contract for around 3 years. The district was supposed to give them a new contract at the start of the school year. The district had asked for 10% paycut over the next 2 years, health care cost increases this coming year totaling ~$1200 a year for two or $1600 for a family of four. That would make it 4 years in a row that wages have gone down while heath care costs have risen.
Somewhere along the line that became 16% pay cuts over the next three years, doubling heath care costs next year and unspecified cost increases the following year. So, as of the start of last week - which both sides had agreed would be the last week of negotiations before they agreed on a deal on Friday - the Teacher's Union had stepped up and agreed to the original proposal.
Unfortunately the administration cancelled the Monday meeting to reschedule for Friday. On Friday - the deadline mind you - the administration sent representatives to reiterate that they were no longer interested in just 10% cuts but wanted 16% over three years and higher heath care costs. The people they sent - on the day negotiations were supposed to be finalized - did not have the authority to negotiate!
So - while the administration continues to fuck around with the teachers the teachers are leaving in droves. There was a tie in last year's teacher of the year award at Taylor. One is already moved on from teaching there and the other will likely move on as well. I know a couple more excellent teachers that have had people at other schools reach out and encourage them to apply for open positions at their school district. The best and brightest have seen the writing on the wall and are getting out. I expect that soon Taylor will be left only with the teachers that don't care or those that aren't good enough to move elsewhere. Given that the district is not exactly known for well behaved or motivated kids I am sure this will foster a great learning environment
Shame on the administration for diverting attention and shame on the useless* union reps for letting it happen
*From all the stories I have heard their representation is useless. They didn't want to release a statement about the negotiations for fear it could harm their position. For some reason they did not realize that the administration would