Photos: Airplane Banner Airs Out Boston Teachers Union Contract Problems
An airplane was flying over the Parkway area letting residents know that the "BTU says talk to teachers" via a flown banner
Photos
Around 3 p.m. today an airplane flying over the Parkway area including West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Roslindale and Jamaica Plain, was carrying a banner reading "BTU Says Talk To Teachers" in regards to the stalled Boston Teachers Union (BTU) contracts.
BTU teachers organized protests today at all BPS sites, according to the BTU's website.
Previously the BTU had criticized Superintendent Carol Johnson for pushing extended days for students, but "undercutting" the union at the negotation table for longer school days.
The following is from the BTU website (linked above):
Simply, we agree that an extended day can be worthwhile — but we insist that that we be properly compensated as professionals for providing additional time in instruction. Other professionals we all deal with on a routine basis — accountants, lawyers, dentists, nurses, the IT professionals who work at the BTU, social workers, and so on — get compensated when they are asked to work overtime, take on an additional case, or fill a cavity in one more tooth. We are no different and we ought not to be treated any differently considering our own professional status. And the Superintendent ought to know that.
BPS Directer of Media Relations Matthew Wilder sent out this email in regards to negotiations yesterday:
Just days after telling parents and students he was willing to spend “twenty-four hours a day” to resolve the expired teachers’ contract, Boston Teachers Union President Richard Stutman has cancelled the December 2 resumption of negotiations without offering a new date.
After going without a meeting since late August, last week Boston Public Schools requested to resume negotiations and the BTU agreed. On Monday night, Stutman told a Boston United for Students forum he wanted to work with BPS to rapidly resolve the contract. Last night, Stutman cancelled the session and said his team was unavailable.
“We thought the Union was ready to create a contract that improves our schools,” said BPS Deputy Superintendent Michael Goar. “We are still waiting for them to return to the table.”
The Boston Teachers Union plans to picket schools tomorrow morning (Fri., Nov. 18), demanding BPS act more aggressively to resolve the contract. Teachers in Boston have been working under the terms of an expired contract for more than a year. In more than 30 negotiating sessions, BPS has offered to:
- Increase teacher salaries by more than $32 million by 2014 and extend the school day (BPS has among the shortest school days in the nation)
- Improve the performance evaluation system
- Modernize the salary structure, and
- Allow greater flexibility around hiring and scheduling for schools.
The last negotiating session was August 30. Last week, BPS requested a new round of sessions, which were to begin December 2.
Caesar Americanus
6:03 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
This story would be better if it weren't one-sided. The BTU did not cancel, it asked to reschedule. The BPS hadn't planned ANY talks until the teachers planned today's demonstration.
John Malone
6:15 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Increase the school term, cancel most of the vactaions, merit increases only, within 3 years must be on road to masters degree. More money, no way. No automatic tenure, by merit only. Increase in percentage of health cate costs they would pay, placement wherever school departyment decides, no more senority baloney and lst but not least, freedom to fire those teachers that are not performing without union interference.
jshore
4:51 pm on Saturday, November 19, 2011
I could not be more disappointed in Dr. Johnson. First the fiasco with BLA, followed by the “march of the Pilot Schools” and now allowing this misrepresentation by Michael Goar and Matthew Wilder.
Dr. Johnson, needs to remind "BPS Director of Media Relations" Matthew Wilder that he represents The Boston Public Schools, in the City of Boston, not FOX 25 or some supermarket tabloid where he can misrepresent the facts to inflame and misinform the public…very disappointing Matthew. I expect more from someone who grew up here.
I’ve worked in law offices and meeting dates were changed all the time, it was no big deal. However, to misrepresent that the BTU is refusing to meet, while the BPS is patiently waiting is a big deal:
“We thought the Union was ready to create a contract that improves our schools,” said BPS Deputy Superintendent Michael Goar. “We are still waiting for them to return to the table.”
Now, I respect loyalty, but what was Dr. Johnson thinking bringing Michael Goar here? When Dr. Johnson came to Boston, the Memphis Schools were a target of multiple investigations, mismanagement, shoddy oversight and even alleged corruption, and who was her Chief Financial Officer in Memphis… Michael Goar! He was the last man standing in Memphis, that was until the announcement of a grand jury investigation into the business practices, or lack of them, when he left Memphis to join her here in the BPS at a salary of $172,562!