Chancellor Michelle Rhee likes firing unionized teachers and Teacher Union President George Parker’s has failed, either intentionally or unintentionally, to reasonably protect unionized members. Rhee’s teacher termination views are echoed daily and her master plan boasts a desire to terminate a significant portion of the current teaching workforce. Using tactics such as “90 day plans” and Reduction in Force (RIF), Rhee has terminated and excessed teachers with impunity all the while stating her “wonderful relationship” with Parker. Since October 1, 2004, teachers’ bank accounts only have his broken robo call promises, no pay raises or improved working conditions.
A passive WTU is doubly painful by intensifying Rhee’s yoke. Parker and Rhee together conspired to destroy tenure, seniority, and bumping rights with their infamous Red/Green agreement. TheWashingtonTeacher.Blogspot.com leaked version of their last newest partnership confirming the biggest threat to teacher members’ job security maybe internal- the WTU President. Over a thousand teachers have lost jobs while he has twiddled thumbs. Fired teachers have lost homes, secure retirements, and health care. Most recently, Parker turned a blind eye while Rhee bloated the teacher ranks and set up a RIF targeting veterans now unabashedly swearing he did not know. His excuse is completely unacceptable because he is paid to know! The leaked agreement shows their concurrence with ample references to “competitive level documentation, RIFs, and performance impacted teacher evaluations” in the new definition of excessing. The evidence overwhelming suggests Parker is conspiring with Rhee.
Rhee and Parker are responsible for Reduction in Force (RIF) alongside of the disastrous IMPACT teacher evaluations, and the overall decline in the DCPS teaching contentment. For self survival, teachers must abandon adherence to Parker’s passivity and be critical of blind support. A similar message 2 years ago fell on deaf ears but it would have save hundreds of jobs as a pound of sweat then could have saved buckets of tears today. Most unemployed teachers know WTU could and should have done more. The membership and Representative Assembly using motions should take 3 immediate actions. Institute a WTU city-wide “Work to the rule policy.” All members should work the specific union contract hours and do only their job. Nextly, pass a motion to allow all members terminated, or excessed in the last 2 years to vote and participate as full WTU members. There is no commitment to terminated members without a union voice as they are “out of sight and out of mind.” This creates a disincentive to bringing in new hires forcing a one-sided union vote on a weak contract. Lastly, pass a motion allowing any member with opposing point of view ideas equal time with equal resources thereby maximizing information to the membership. Most importantly, Parker must be held accountable, by every member every day, for job security, pay raises, and restoring professional respect to deserving teacher members.
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