Class Dismissed !

A Glimpse into a WTU Executive Board meeting: I was at a loss for words when WTU President George Parker 'banged the gavel' announcing the October 11th executive board meeting was adjourning early at 11 a.m. Given that we had conducted little business and DC Teachers have lost millions of dollars in a retroactive increase- I was frankly surprised especially since our teacher pay package/tentative agreement is still in limbo. I like some of my fellow executive board members had come to this meeting with the explicit purpose of inquiring about the status of an incomplete tentative agreement and report of a possible impasse as well as the WTU's future plans.

What I heard from George Parker's lips was news to me that Washington Post reporter Bill Turque misquoted him in a recent Post October 3rd article citing that the union may be headed towards arbitration . In this story Turque reported that Parker stated that the union would take whatever steps necessary to protect its members, including "court proceedings, arbitration and teacher job actions."

In this Saturday's Board meeting -Parker said:
The WTU has not yet concluded teacher contract negotiations. Really ??? The WTU plans to continue to advocate for a teacher contract that includes due process rights and serves the children of DC Public Schools . Neither side seems headed for impasse despite Rhee's recent announcement in The Washington Afro which stated that she will forgo stalled talks and take matters into her own hands.

Parker admits he has yet to meet with the WTU negotiating team to discuss the future of our teacher contract talks. What is he waiting for ?

While George Bordenave, the AFT National representative was requested (by Parker) to not be involved in DC teacher contract talks despite a written contract with AFT - President Parker is now reportedly working closely with AFT to address many issues affecting contract negotiations. Attorney Lee Jackson has been contacted and will attend the Thursday, October 23, 2008 Executive Board meeting from 5:30-6:30 p.m. to discuss next steps.

The WTU has sent out a 3 page mailing to DC teachers (dated October 9th) about the facts on teacher evaluations, 90 day plan, corporal punishment and disciplinary actions, abolishment of positions and right-sizing, termination of highly qualified teachers and WTU next steps.

I agree with part of Walter Wood's letter to the editor in the Friday October 10th Post editorial (page A18) in which he stated "I am appalled that George Parker, the Washington Teachers' Union president, is not willing to show leadership and move the negotiations along..... Mr. Parker must step up to the plate and lead. " Now is not the time for class to let out early ! DC teachers biggest roadblock to reaching a tentative agreement is the failure of our union president to make a decision by either resuming teacher contract talks, bringing the tentative agreement to a membership vote or declaring an impasse.
Stay tuned for more as the saga continues on stalled DC teacher contract talks. Posted by The Washington Teacher.