Michael Hohmann wrote: (InPart) The Strib reports that hundreds of Mpls. teachers, many carrying placards, paraded in a union-organized protest yesterday at District headquarters, to demand increased wages. - - - The District is currently in negotiations with the union for a new two-year contract.
REPLY: Although I am not a labor law attorney, I have been involved in union negotiations and management. To avoid charges of unfair practices under federal law you have to start negotiations asking for more than you want. Fair negotiating practices require that any change in your position during negotiations must be a move toward your opponent's position. You don't have to change your position but usually you do that is what happens in negotiations. The unions and the administration know how much money is in the system for teachers pay. The information is in the public record somewhere. If the teachers don't ask for a raise, they might not even get what is available. That's what happens in negotiations. My kids went to Bethune, Northeast, and Henry. When I would drag my behind home from work to get the kids to all those after school functions, most of the teachers were there. The kids and I could skip through in 30 minutes to an hour but the teachers were there for three or four hours. There were other functions that just the teachers had to attend. A lot of the teachers worked with after school clubs and activities. A lot of the teachers bought supplies and prepared special materials for their classes. They paid for those items out of their own pockets because the school budget couldn't. Greedy teachers? Short sighted politicians? Skin flint taxpayers? We can throw names and accusations around and they will stick a lot of places. Lighten up folks. Enjoy the street theater. It's negotiations time. Thanks. John O'Neal Shenanigans Watch Northeast Minneapolis (Holland Neighborhood) [EMAIL PROTECTED] REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
