Prayer request for my work situation

[kadi]

As many of you know, I've been on strike with my teacher colleagues for 7 days. It's hard emotionally, physically, and financially.

The community support has been huge-- 17,000+ students (out of 22,000) staying out, parents saying, "When our teachers are back, our children will be too". Yesterday, the parents marched. Teachers lined the streets (approx 1,000 of us) as over 1,000 parents demonstrated at the district to demand settlement. (Imagine how big it would have been if it had been evening or weekend!) The superintendent let 130 parents in to the board room to hear their complaints & answer questions. From the short clips on the news, they were very strong in their support for us!

Tomorrow (Sun 4/22), the negotiations resume. I am praying & asking you to pray too for both sides to be reasonable & for the strike to end. For the students & their families, for the teachers, for the district... For everyone involved.

[Babs RN]

Kadi,
Many prayers headed west. It is horrible that the professionals that shape the future of our children and our world are not compensated properly. I hope the negotiations end soon.

Hugs and prayers,
Barb

[leelee88]

coming your way...

[ICNDonna]

Prayers for a rapid settlement.

Donna

[GriffsMommy]

Kadi,
I hope that the strike ends soon. I will keep you in my thoughts. I can only imagine how hard the strike is on you. My degree is in education so I agree that it is horrible that teachers are not better compensated. Keep us posted.

[ihurttoo]

Just wanted to let you know that I am still praying for all of you too! I pray that the strike ends soon and that they will be reasonable. You have definately been thru alot. I have followed your posts about the conditions there for months. I am just surprised that you all didnt strike sooner. But, I know that you all did everything in your power to try to avoid this, but some battles just have to be fought, and this is one of them.

I am so glad that the parents and community are behind you all! That really means alot. Hopefully, it will help persuade the "powers that be".

Anyway, just wanted to let you know I am still praying for you all.

Hugs,
Amy

[kadi]

Negotiations failed, strike now day 9

The negotiations failed yesterday, even though the union presented a new proposal significantly less than original. I don't believe the district ever intended to compromise, and top that off with a lack of respect for us in the last 2 bargaining sessions - showing up 2-1/2 hours late for the first one & at least 1/2 hour late for yesterday's, but my friend had to leave then, so don't yet know how much more.

Meanwhile, this month, I've now lost 9 out of 20 work days, which will make the next 2 paychecks thin, especially since we pay our own health care benefits. That adds up to $700 a month in medical, dental, and mandatory life insurance protection premiums. Plus another $100 in union dues. I have savings so I won't go without food or meds or rent, but this will eat up about 6 months of hard work to put money away.

I'm so frustrated!!!! People have asked me how I feel about the union & I now feel teachers' unions are more important than ever.
The district is stalling, applying for a court injunction to force us back to work. The only grounds they have is that our strike has been hugely effective & the parents are supporting us by keeping their kids home. If the court grants the injunction, it will severely impact all teachers unions in CA, basically rendering us all unable to strike. We tried so hard for the last 3 years to get a fair contract from this district & the strike was the last resort.

I'm personally discouraged because all my colleagues who are new teachers are planning to leave the district, my older colleagues are complaining daily that they're going to retire ASAP, and I feel trapped because other school districts almost always only give 5-10 years service credit maximum. I'm only 39 years old, but I have 16 years service credit, so if I left my district, I'd take a pay cut of 1/3 my salary. So, leaving is not an option.

Right now, my choices are strike or scab, so I'm on the picket line. There are murmurings that people who cross the line will not have colleagues support & we depend on each other for physical safety (the school has had violence issues) & for teamwork in general. So, on to day 9....

[ihurttoo]

Kadi,

That has to be incredibly difficult. But, I just wanted to tell you again how much I support you and your coworkers and what you are doing. I hate like everything that the negotiations have failed so far and that "the powers that be" have been so disrespectful throughout the negotiations! That is so wrong! But, I just wanted to tell you again that you have more support than you even realize. Even though we cant be there marching beside you with a sign, we are there in spirit with all of you.

May God bless all of you! I pray that this will all be over soon and that things end peacefully and amicably.

Hugs,
Amy

[Katrina]

I am sorry your stuck in a such a difficult situation, I sure hope things change and improve!!!!

[kadi]

Day 10. Very discouraged. Tired. Flaring.

[mom_in_ma]

Sorry to hear that Kadi. Take care of yourself.

[Janie Miranda]

This must be awful for you Kadi. Sending warm thoughts your way and saying a little prayer that this strike will be over soon and you'll feel better as well.