Still no deal, GR teachers' union considers job action

GET REAL...The union needs to suck it up just like every other american worker....more for less.Where else can you make 60K a year with 3 months off every year, Christmas break, spring break and snow days? It also needs to keep its money local where it can help union people rather than throwing it away on negitive campain adds like we are seeing now.The cancelled labor day parade is (was) for its local members NOT Washington lobbiest.Also, stop selling out the new hires making 1/2 of the wages that the older members make...I thought that the union was "all for one and one for all" but that all has changed in resent years.Another "blunder" that the union lost big $$$ on was trying to hijack the Michigan government... how much is that going to cost the rank and file?

I totally agree. Cuts or NO raises. Most Americans have had Cuts to both their salaries and benefits. This is the reality. The Board and Dr. Taylor are right in holding their ground. If the Teachers should try some unlawful acts (STRIKE) Then fire them all ! The taxpayers and the Board of Education cannot be held hostage or bullied into giving what they don't have. We are SOOO sick of the demands made by the Teachers. Cut Salaries and Benefits and bring them in line with the rest of the World !

And we are sick of the decisions being made by the board and Taylor that do not include teacher input, do not increase learning opportunities for our students, are often contradictory in nature, and belittle teachers as professionals. While I understand and in many cases agree with the public outcry for no wage increases, I am also in the classroom each day, and would contend that the average person does not truly understand either side of the equation here. Call it as you see it, but do not tell me what my reality is.

Mad Taxpayer wrote:

I totally agree. Cuts or NO raises. Most Americans have had Cuts to both their salaries and benefits. This is the reality. The Board and Dr. Taylor are right in holding their ground. If the Teachers should try some unlawful acts (STRIKE) Then fire them all ! The taxpayers and the Board of Education cannot be held hostage or bullied into giving what they don't have. We are SOOO sick of the demands made by the Teachers. Cut Salaries and Benefits and bring them in line with the rest of the World !

I give the teacher's union kudos for standing up for wages and benefits. I don't understand the thought process behind "cut the salaries and benefits and bring them in line with the rest of the world!" People should be able to make a decent living with a good salary and benefits. Sure, many people's wages and benefits have dramatically decreased, but why shouldn't employees make a stand for their benefits? I sure would. It is ridiculous to say that because some people's salaries have been reduced, that ALL salaries should be reduced. ALL people in Michigan should be able to get a decent living wage when they work. Ideas like this one will just bring down our standard of living.

Tom wrote:

GET REAL...The union needs to suck it up just like every other american worker....more for less.Where else can you make 60K a year with 3 months off every year, Christmas break, spring break and snow days? It also needs to keep its money local where it can help union people rather than throwing it away on negitive campain adds like we are seeing now.The cancelled labor day parade is (was) for its local members NOT Washington lobbiest.Also, stop selling out the new hires making 1/2 of the wages that the older members make...I thought that the union was "all for one and one for all" but that all has changed in resent years.Another "blunder" that the union lost big $$$ on was trying to hijack the Michigan government... how much is that going to cost the rank and file?

Get real to this....if a teacher could be outsourced they would.Everone's pay is going down unless you are a CEO.Everything is costing more. Are you a teacher? If not then you have no first hand knowledge of what is happening.Michigan is/was a big Union state and it amazes me how many nonunion degrade the members.You want good teachers....pay up.

Every year it seems like the same old story with GR teachers. No wonder 1/2 the kids never graduate-look at who is teaching them and setting an example. Down with the teachers union, for they have destroyed the educational system!

Can them if they strike. New teachers are waiting in the wings for jobs and they haven't had time todevelopthe lousy me first attitudes so many display!

"way diferent" and "stuff"? A leaders voice?
Teacher who wants us to spend time in classroom,have you spent time in a hospital emergency room,a police car,a construction site? Teachers are not the only working people with an education,life in the work world is difficult.
You will find your self a with out a job as many workers in Michigan who believed that because I make this amount of money I will continue to be paid at this level and have benefits better than others.
Regarding MESSA,your coverage is beyond any medical
insurance of any employer in the state.No individual of any level including the head of the state has the kind of coverage you have.If you want this level you need to share the cost.44,million uninsured would gladly pay your out of pocket payments.
There are a large number of choices for parents in Grand Rapids regarding the education of children,the reasons parents do not choose GRPS add to the problem of finances or "stuff" as your president states.
You are the reason you do not have a contract,change the way you think and life will go on.

How many other jobs listed here bring work home and there is no compensation whatsoever? Teachers have work every night and weekend and holiday. How many other jobs dig into their own pockets for supply money so they can prepare for learning experiences? The 3 months of summer off aren't even close to reality. How many other jobs require constant up-grading via classes at their own expensive? If you look closely at what the teacher's are asking, I'll bet a number one complain is class size, which has a direct result on the students, not the paycheck! Teachers, like so many others, are constantly expected to take on more duty with less compensation, but are struggling to make your child's learning experience positive.

I am amazed at some of the anger toward teachers. Why is it ok for lawyers to charge 200.00$/hour or CEO's to make 500 times their workers but teachers should buck it up? I would like to see the detractors of teachers work a day in GR schools. Work with parents who don't care about their kids education, a superintendent who undermines them. Teachers in urban areas need praise for the job they do.

The real estate, school taxes that we are paying in this state keep going up, up and up......where the heck is all of this money going????? Is it going to childrens' education, or the union coffers?????? Enough is enough......go ahead......price me out of this state.....have a nice day

GR Teacher wrote:

And we are sick of the decisions being made by the board and Taylor that do not include teacher input, do not increase learning opportunities for our students, are often contradictory in nature, and belittle teachers as professionals. While I understand and in many cases agree with the public outcry for no wage increases, I am also in the classroom each day, and would contend that the average person does not truly understand either side of the equation here. Call it as you see it, but do not tell me what my reality is.

270 MEA affiliates without contracts, 110 of those in their second year....Not so unusual....

What percentage of GRPS kids are dropping out? There is no "teachers side" while the District fails to educate.

renaud wrote:

I am amazed at some of the anger toward teachers. Why is it ok for lawyers to charge 200.00$/hour or CEO's to make 500 times their workers but teachers should buck it up? I would like to see the detractors of teachers work a day in GR schools. Work with parents who don't care about their kids education, a superintendent who undermines them. Teachers in urban areas need praise for the job they do.

You should have worked as a custodian/janitor in a school system....I have put up with cranky teachers in my heyday, and they have a benefit package that most ALL employees would drool over..........what more do they want?????

cranky wrote:

The real estate, school taxes that we are paying in this state keep going up, up and up......where the heck is all of this money going????? Is it going to childrens' education, or the union coffers?????? Enough is enough......go ahead......price me out of this state.....have a nice day

And lotto money is suppose to go where??

cranky wrote:

<quoted text>
You should have worked as a custodian/janitor in a school system....I have put up with cranky teachers in my heyday, and they have a benefit package that most ALL employees would drool over..........what more do they want?????

Change your name to jealous

Alvin wrote:

How many other jobs listed here bring work home and there is no compensation whatsoever? Teachers have work every night and weekend and holiday. How many other jobs dig into their own pockets for supply money so they can prepare for learning experiences? The 3 months of summer off aren't even close to reality. How many other jobs require constant up-grading via classes at their own expensive?

I hope your just kidding here. IT professionals (and many other jobs) have to work many holidays, weekends and other times that the rest do not. When was the last time you were called in at 2am to take care of anything? Studying is ongoing to keep up with a constantly changing technology. Countless out of pocket costs and training on top of what the company provides is never ending. The teacher unions have become laughable. In many cases I know teacher union’s worked and have helped teachers in the past. But now they have gone off the deep end and moved to a point of abuse and waste. They look at what is going in there pocket and retirement plan no matter the true cost to the district for them in total to employ that teacher.

They strike, fire them and charge them for violating the law that forbids them from striking.

That said, they work awfully damn hard for the money they make and I watch two of my brothers take home papers to grade all the time. BUT I do not support a walk out.

renaud wrote:

I am amazed at some of the anger toward teachers. Why is it ok for lawyers to charge 200.00$/hour or CEO's to make 500 times their workers but teachers should buck it up? I would like to see the detractors of teachers work a day in GR schools. Work with parents who don't care about their kids education, a superintendent who undermines them. Teachers in urban areas need praise for the job they do.

Agree. I am not a teacher but I have participated in Junior Achievement in a GRPS many times. This is one day where I have to go in and teach kids about business. I am ready to smoke and drink by the end of the day. Being a teacher is harder than you probably think it is.

Stop whining. All of you.

Everyone who gets a government paycheck should be REQUIRED to sign "WORK AT WILL" papers.

(Just like the rest of us!)