As their strike enters its 7th day, Hayward Education Association teachers today vowed to fight Superintendent Dale Vigil and his Board's efforts to seek a court injunction to force teachers back to work. Lloyd LaCuesta of KTVU Channel 2 here in San Francisco/Oakland reported this evening that teachers and parents were picketing the superintendent's apartment complex. The district's lawyer [who also sometimes serves our SF district as well] attempted to further demonize teachers as uncivil. But parents and residents interviewed showed sympathy for the teachers who have been fighting for a fair contract, better salaries and health benefits.“The district has been wasting time at the bargaining table for weeks by repackaging the same poor salary offer,” said Kathleen Crummey, president of the nearly 1,300-member Hayward Education Association.More News Video Clip
“Now they want to go to court with more lies about our intentions and conduct. In the court of public opinion, this district has already been found guilty of gross disrespect of teachers, parents and students.”
Hayward and East Bay Area parents who are supporting their teachers will march for two miles through Hayward Friday morning to demand respect from Superintendent Dale Vigil, who called security guards on dozens of parents who massed at the district office Wednesday and refused to meet with them. The march is on rain or shine. It will start at Weekes Park, 27300 Patrick Ave. Chanting parents with protest signs about the district will move down Patrick, Gading, Harder and Cypress, crossing Jackson Street on Cypress, then ending the march at the school district office, 24411 Amador St.
“We will be marching to support the teachers and their fight for fair raises,” said parent Araceli Orozco, a leader of the newly formed Hayward parent group Families In Action. “We want teachers to earn enough to stay and teach our children. And we want Superintendent Vigil to respect parents by being more honest with us about the strike.”
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The Reuters photo shows Argentine teachers holding up school uniforms with the words 'Nunca Mas' (never again) as they march among human rights activists and other labor groups in downtown Buenos Aires April 9, 2007. Argentine school teachers went on a one-day nation wide strike today after a high school chemistry teacher was killed by police last week during a protest over pay in the southern province of Neuquen. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci (ARGENTINA)
4 comments:
Better schools? Or better pay without accountability? Look at the academic performance of the Hayward students and ask your self if teachers are delivering quality instruction.
Why do people always blame teachers for lower test scores? The Hayward Teachers I know are some of the sharpest and hardest working folks around.
Most educators know that socio-economic background is the biggest indicator of test score performance, in addition to nutrition, strong parenting and community services. Inadequate funding of public schools and community services has driven down test scores for the working families in our communities. Teachers deserve a fair contract, a living wage and decent health care.
The average salary of a Hayward teacher is $8,000 higher than a San Francisco teacher. I am sure the San Francisco teachers are looking forward to getting comparable increases of 16% or more since Hayward teachers deserve a living wage.
Hayward teacher's with families have to pay more than $16,000 per year for health care- do the math! That twice the $8000 more than San Francisco teachers!
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