STRIKE BEGINS !
Here we go! The Rockford teachers’ strike is officially under way. Late night negotiations failed to reach any settlement. The television news last night showed the Rockford teachers holding a candlelight vigil outside of the negotiation headquarters. Several teachers were interviewed and they expressed how determined they were to get a fair contract. Now we need parents, community leaders and union supporters to put pressure on the Board to reach a fair settlement.
I believe that this strike will lead to an acceptable contract for the teachers. If the Rockford teachers do achieve their goals, I hope it will serve as an inspiration for all other teachers in Illinois and the Nation. Let the Rockford teachers lead the way and show all teachers everywhere that the time has come for teachers to stop accepting contract violations, give backs, lowered benefits, increased class time, and increased stress levels without being adequately compensated. Let this be the first victory in a new revolution where teachers stand up and loudly shout, “we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore”!
I hope this strike also causes some State legislators to finally get serious about finding alternative ways to fund education. We can no longer depend on property taxes to be the primary way to fund our schools. We must find alternative sources of revenue. I have previously suggested many ways of alternative funding, and I hope
I believe that this strike will lead to an acceptable contract for the teachers. If the Rockford teachers do achieve their goals, I hope it will serve as an inspiration for all other teachers in Illinois and the Nation. Let the Rockford teachers lead the way and show all teachers everywhere that the time has come for teachers to stop accepting contract violations, give backs, lowered benefits, increased class time, and increased stress levels without being adequately compensated. Let this be the first victory in a new revolution where teachers stand up and loudly shout, “we’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore”!
I hope this strike also causes some State legislators to finally get serious about finding alternative ways to fund education. We can no longer depend on property taxes to be the primary way to fund our schools. We must find alternative sources of revenue. I have previously suggested many ways of alternative funding, and I hope