Public Input on Contract Negotiations
The Our Schools Coalition is gearing up again to give input on the contract negotiations between Seattle Public Schools and the teachers' union, the Seattle Education Association.
They have provided their rationale for why they should kibbitz in these talks.
I disagree. I'm a fan of democracy and representative democracy in particular. I believe that the public IS represented in the negotiations by the School Board, the duly elected representatives of the public.
I prefer the duly elected representatives of the public acting as the public's voice to each of us individually contributing our comments (a confused cacophony of tiny voices) or any self-appointed voices who claim to represent the community despite lacking any legitimate claim to that title.
They have provided their rationale for why they should kibbitz in these talks.
I disagree. I'm a fan of democracy and representative democracy in particular. I believe that the public IS represented in the negotiations by the School Board, the duly elected representatives of the public.
I prefer the duly elected representatives of the public acting as the public's voice to each of us individually contributing our comments (a confused cacophony of tiny voices) or any self-appointed voices who claim to represent the community despite lacking any legitimate claim to that title.
Comments
-Confused, discuss or really srgue
I would say that the difference lies in self-appointed vs. appointed by the superintendent.
If you were to ask what's different between the labor negotiator chosen by the superintendent and the Our Schools Coalition, the answer would be obvious: the labor negotiator was hired by the superintendent for the job. The same is true for members of advisory committees - they were hired by the superintendent for the job.
-Confused
I have no problem with their speaking up and speaking for themselves. I certainly do that all the time.
What irks me is how they assume the mantle of speaking for the community - not just themselves. They have no right to lay such a claim and their claim has no merit.
It is not only arrogant, it is a usurpation of the community's voice and it is dismissive of the school board's role as the voice of the community (and therefore dismissive of democracy and the democratic process).
Absolutely. This all started through LEV who, to their credit, was trying to reach out and create a group with really credibility. Many of us, from various groups and backgrounds, worked for MONTHS on this issue only to have the Alliance for Eduction co-opt our work and shut out some of us.
It was a nasty little behind-the-scenes machination.
I'll write more on this as it seems there is definitely a surge of grouping to control public education in Seattle (without really asking parents or educators what they think).
-Annie
They don't, not by any stretch.
They represent some communities (and few parents). When they walk around saying they represent everyone, that gives the wrong impression.
Our Schools Coalition has an expectation to have a greater voice in things because of their being a "coalition". OSC is a political power play by a few under the disingenuous cover of claiming the names of many groups.
Oompah
Where's My Seat at the Table
"We express the community’s voice in teacher contract negotiations, to advocate for our children, and to support teachers as professionals."
A search for website domain information reveals the following:
Admin ID:CR100177583
Admin Name:Jen Olson
Admin Organization:Our Schools Coalition
Admin Street1:1505 Westlake Ave N
Admin Street2:
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Seattle
Admin State/Province:Washington
Admin Postal Code:98109
Admin Country:US
Admin Phone:+1.2062821990
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email:
And who does one find at that address and phone number? Why, Strategies 360, of course!
And from the Strategies 360 website:
About Strategies 360 -
Strategies 360 is one of the country's leading strategic positioning firms. With offices across the Pacific Northwest and in Washinton, DC, we are experts at negotiating the political landscape, crafting content, building coalitions and targeting communications. How can we create an environment for success for you?
So why does a little old homegrown bunch of folks just out to help schools in our community need this kind of political guidance and positioning? Sure as hell ain't cuz they're just lookin' out for the kids, that's for sure!
Oompah
I have no problem with it at all if the members of the Our School Coalition wanted to do that. In fact, they do it all of the time and I never utter a peep against it. I fully support it.
However, when they claim to represent the community and when they try to directly influence the negotiations through strong-arm tactics in the press, I have a problem with it.
There is a path for public input on the contract negotiations. That path is through the democratically elected representatives of the community, the School Board Directors.
Is anyone trying to say that the School Board has been ignoring the members of the Our School Coalition? Has the School Board shut them out? I don't think so. In fact, it often seems that the School Board directors - at least some of them - are eager to do the bidding of the members of the Our School Coalition.
But, they do not have any claim to a seat at the negotiation table. The negotiations are between two parties who are responsible to each other. OSC wants to make demands, and set guidelines, but they don't have anything to offer in return."
I agree that OSC should be able to take, and support a position -- just like any other group out there that has an interest in the outcome of a public controversy -- but they have no right to claim they represent the public, speak for parents, etc. It's a lie, and is patronizing and offensive to boot. They represent a number of ed reform organizations, most of which represent business interests -- and they should say so.
As for who gets a "spot" at the table, I agree that they don't deserve one. Ordinarily, in labor disputes, the only parties at the table are management (representing shareholders) and labor (representing employees). But in a private industry dispute, the idea is that if customers don't like the outcome (too expensive, working conditions too horrible, etc.) they can vote with their feet and leave. That is not the case with public employees, mahy of whom have a monopoly on the provision of services. Thus, I think that taxpayers deserve their own "seat" at the table. You can argue that the government "represents" the taxpayers, but that is clearly not always the case. Sometimes labor forms such a large constituent for the government side of the table that taxpayer concerns (quality of services, cost of providing them, etc.) seem pretty squeezed out. Exhibit A, in my opinion, is the King County law enforcement contract, negotiated by Ron Sims during the height of the financial crisis -- where the excuse later was that none of the King County Council had "added up" the cumulative effect of the pay hikes over the term of the contract.
I would love to see some true community/children's/taxpayer representation in school labor negotiations (and even more so in principal contract negotiations), because I think it would lead to better contracts for both teachers AND kids. Teachers fail to realize, I think, that parents/taxpayers can be their best allies. Parents place a very high value on their kids' teachers. They don't see them as "expendable" the way school administrators often seem to.
Hey, "we" were supposed to have 320 career ladder positions by now! WTF! (who the hell needs 320?)
Hey, how's that $500 stipend given to teachers performing at "basic" being used effectively. Let's micromanage already.
You better not be spending that supplemental levy on anything but our...I mean...your CBA.
It appears District admin is answerable to Korsmo, Morris, and OSC
We can expect just more of the same unless the REAL voice of the community says OSC does not speak for us.
Personally, my expertise is still provided w/o extra money for opening up my classroom to others for observations or consulting with other teachers who needed some tips just the same as I did before this contract. If I could have only charged admission for every visitor or a fee for every consult...
-Just let me teach