Another 'hopeful' sign in teacher talks?
It didn't take long for the new year's first word of yet another breakthrough in contract talks between DCPS and the Washington Teachers' Union (WTU). Hopeful proclamations about a deal just around the corner have been a part of the negotiations since they began in late 2007, when Joe Gibbs was coaching the Redskins and voters in Iowa were quizzing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) about his "Muslim background."
Last we heard, talks had been shut down by legal and political fallout over Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee's October 2 layoffs of 266 teachers and staff. But District teachers, who've been working without a raise for more than two years, reported a mailing Monday from WTU president George Parker announcing that a New Years Eve bargaining session had created new cause of optimism.
"WTU had a very productive meeting last Thursday with the mediator and DCPS," Parker wrote. "I am hopeful that the WTU negotiations team and DCPS will reach a tentative agreement (TA) in the next 30 days. Once a TA is reached, members will have ample opportunities to review the agreement and to vote on the agreement."
No other details were available. Parker did not return a phone message Monday night.
--Bill Turque
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January 5, 2010; 9:25 AM ET
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Posted by: iofferkicks411 | January 5, 2010 10:12 AM | Report abuse
When is WaPo going to take the hint and get rid of the advertiser who is posting on all the blogs?
Before we have a signed union contract, I hope.
Posted by: efavorite | January 5, 2010 3:17 PM | Report abuse
I'll believe it when I see it. I also suspect that any TA that is agreeable to PArker and Rhee is not agreeable to the teachers.
Posted by: Wyrm1 | January 5, 2010 3:18 PM | Report abuse
Wyrm1, you're probably right. But I'm a DCPS teacher and am at least willing to look at a tentative agreement if we're lucky enough to get one. We're being screwed by the RIFs, IMPACT and all these new inexperienced principals the chancelor has a fondness for over the old-school ones we used to have. We might as well get a raise.
Posted by: chelita | January 5, 2010 4:31 PM | Report abuse
Oh, I absolutely want to see a TA. I'm pretty sure that I would support it, but I think it unlikely that my fellow teachers would agree :-)
Posted by: Wyrm1 | January 5, 2010 8:46 PM | Report abuse
I like it already! I am tired of working with no contract and NO RAISE! I am VOTING YES! Yep... without even seeing it!
Posted by: edjook8tr | January 5, 2010 9:34 PM | Report abuse
I hope it happens for you.
Posted by: resc | January 5, 2010 11:06 PM | Report abuse
How can anyone trust individuals who manufactured a DCPS budget shortfall since 2007?
Posted by: sheilahgill | January 7, 2010 10:05 AM | Report abuse
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