STA raises stakes in contract stalemate Work to Rule vote taken by teachers
Published on March 14th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - The Stoneham Teachers Association (STA) raised the stakes in its ongoing crusade for a new contract this week by voting overwhelmingly to stop participating in any work-related activity not contractually required.
According to STA President Marlene McArdle, the town’s largest labor union implemented a new “work-to-rule” policy effective this Monday that will essentially mean that teachers will only work an 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. day.
That specific six-and-a-half hour time period is not set in stone, however, as different schools have different contractual requirements for showing-up and leaving work, the STA representative explained.
Parents learned of the new tactic, aimed at forcing the town’s School Committee and town officials to settle stalled contract deliberations, which have reportedly been stalemated not only with the STA, but with other municipal unions, through a postcard sent from the teacher’s union.
“Reluctantly and effective immediately, we have decided to withdraw voluntary services until we make adequate progress in our negotiations with the School Committee,” that correspondence reads, which goes on to say the union regrets having to take such a step.
The STA vote will not have an impact on paid extra-curricular activities, such as sports where teachers are compensated for their services.
However, union members will no longer participate in other non-academic offerings where teachers volunteer their time, by chaperoning a prom or organizing a talent show, for example.
According to the STA officer, the union action is not intended to have a direct impact on regular academic life within the schools.
“For children, the curriculum goes on and the school day does not get impacted. But we will not show up earlier or stay later,” said McArdle. “This is not something that was voted on lightly. To do this at this point of the year is really least harmful to the students.
“I honestly feel that in conversations I’ve had, something like this in March is not terribly detrimental to children. But I know some parents might not agree with me,” the STA President commented.
However, McArdle did admit that teachers will not perform any work-related activities, such as correcting papers or writing student recommendations for college, outside of the course of the normal school day.
Teachers will be available to offer extra help for students in most cases, but again not outside of the time periods specified in previous contractual agreements. For example, for the STA President, the regular school day ends at 2:10, but she is required to stay within the building until 2:35.
“If a student wanted to stay for 25-minutes the teacher would stay [to provide extra help],” said McArdle.
“That [not writing recommendations for college] has been brought-up, but in my conversations with high school teachers, I’ve found that recommendations are pretty much done. Students should be looking for acceptance letters right now, not recommendations,” the union officer added.
According to McArdle, the recent implementation of the “work-to-rule” policy is aimed not only at the School Committee, but the community and its elected officials as a whole.
Specifically, the STA President insisted that despite all the extra work teachers have put in over the years to absorb the impacts of repeated budgetary cuts, the town has refused to address its ongoing financial woes.
McArdle further argued that the town fathers had over three years — since the last union contract was signed — to figure-out some way of dealing with those difficulties besides balancing the budget on the backs of employees, who are reportedly being asked to make significant health insurance concessions.
“Nothing has gotten the response that these post cards have gotten. People need to wake-up,” said the STA President, referring to her perception that people have tuned-out to the fiscal picture. “The cuts that have been made, I don’t think parents have realized it.”
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!