Possibility of first-ever strike divides Arizona teachers

“I would rather put an effort toward short-term consequences, like, ‘Oh, my kids went without instruction for X amount of days,’ versus ‘My kids went without funding for X amount of years,’” she said.

Jill Coute, a school psychologist in Mesa Public Schools, the state’s largest district, said she was concerned about making up missed days at year’s end and the possibility of a walkout backfiring by upending Ducey’s offer.

She said she thinks teachers are largely supportive of a walkout.

“I’m praying that it’s no, but I have a feeling that it’s going to say yes,” Coute said of the vote results.

Coute, who has otherwise supported teachers’ efforts in the so-called #RedforEd campaign, said the governor was playing “a very good game of chess” by putting forth a proposal that divided educators. She said further action could be taken in the fall when the group has more power behind it.

“I think the parents would rally behind us again,” she said.

The governor’s proposal has drawn support from the business community and some school organizations. But others were concerned about finding the money to cover a plan that would cost about $650 million when fully implemented.

The influential state PTA pulled its support, saying new reports and its own analysis show the proposal’s finances were not realistic. An education advocacy group, Save Our Schools Arizona, said it’s worried the plan isn’t a “sustainable or comprehensive” way to reinvest in schools.

The governor says money will come from increased state revenue, decreases in social service caseloads and changes in other budget proposals.

Ducey spokesman Daniel Scarpinato said the plan is funded with “the state’s most reliable funding source: the general fund. It’s in the base and will be an ongoing commitment.”

Arizona is one of several Republican-dominant states where teachers have demanded higher pay this year. The movement started in West Virginia, where a strike garnered a raise, and spread to Oklahoma, Kentucky and most recently Colorado.

A statewide walkout would be a first in Arizona and is causing concern about the fallout in this right-to-work state, where unions do not collectively bargain with school districts and representation is not mandatory.

The Arizona Education Association, which supports the grass-roots campaign, has warned its 20,000 members about a 1971 Arizona attorney general opinion saying a statewide strike would be illegal under common law and participants could lose their teaching credentials.

Educators facing the vote are likely scared about the possible consequences, said Lee Adler, a labour professor at Cornell University who has represented unions and their members.

“It’s a critical stage because people have to make a commitment,” he said. “They know how powerful government is in these matters. Everybody realizes that, but many feel like they have no choice because it feels too bad to stay put.

“Others feel bad saying no, but they’re afraid to step out onto the street because they’re afraid somebody might hurt their feet,” Adler said.

Overall, the nationwide movement has taken politicians and labour historians by surprise, he said.

“Nobody expected economic, social and policy injustice fights in right-to-work states,” Adler said.

Melissa Daniels, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Possibility of first-ever strike divides Arizona teachers

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