As the fight over an education bill in the state house that eviscerates collective bargaining rights intensified, ST Rogers wrote a letter to MA House members urging them to protect teachers and school workers by working with the AFT, the BTU, and other unions that represent school employees. The letter was similar to a letter he sent to Senators prior to that body's vote. ST Rogers also informed Speaker Dileo that he had contacted the representatives and urged the Speaker to work with them to find a solution that respects the rights of workers.
The text of ST Rogers' letter is below.
December 1, 2009
Dear Representative,
As you are aware the Senate has recently adopted an education bill. We applaud Speaker DeLeo for not being stampeded into rash action. In the Speakers’ letter of November 18th he urged all of you to ‘Please make sure that during this time you express your concerns and ideas concerning the bill so that they can be properly considered’.
Among those concerns that we hope you can express are the numerous anti-teacher and anti-worker provisions in the Senate Bill. For example you may be aware that the original Senate Bill gave school superintendents the right to fire at will in so called ‘underperforming’ schools. Although the bill was amended to require ‘Good Cause’ for termination as opposed to stronger ‘Just Cause’ language for teachers, did you know that the bill’s language provides no protections for other school staff? Para professionals, custodians, administrative workers and other school employees are represented by a wide cross section of the affiliated unions of the Greater Boston Labor Council.
We also urge you to restore the union role in establishing Horace Mann schools, the collaborative charter school model. The unilateral power given school committees to create Horace Mann schools, in the Senate bill, means there is virtually no difference between Horace Mann schools and charter schools.
As you prepare to caucus I urge you in the strongest possible manner to consider the recommendations and concerns of the AFT Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union and other unions that represent school employees. The Senate language that weakens collective bargaining rights does nothing to improve our schools and is not required to receive federal dollars from President Obama’s ‘Race to the Top’ program.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Richard M Rogers
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Greater Boston Labor Council