‘I do not understand why teachers have not yet stormed the state capitol. They should be . . . throwing rocks through the windows to get (Gov.) Jan Brewer’s attention.’ – Franklin
The story: Anticipating a large cut in funding from our deficit-plagued state, Tucson Unified School District says it will notify 560 employees, most of them untenured teachers, that they might be laid off at the end of the school year. Some of the employees likely will be called back to work, but many won’t.
Your take: Let’s talk strike. Several members of the Citizen’s online community say teachers should walk out. Many are sympathetic to the teachers’ plight. Only one person faults President Obama. Some representative comments:
• “The notices are a negotiation ploy in order to create a more compliant work force. . . . Don’t take it, resist.” 5931
• “Strike! If you don’t do it now you will be in classrooms with 40 to 50 kids!” 1660
• “A teachers’ strike, if well-run and associated with an effort to educate the public about the problem, could put a lot of pressure on the Legislature. Unfortunately, the teachers would have to overcome a lot of negative publicity.” leftfield
• “(The Tucson Education Association) needs to fight for every dollar now. Why have a low-paying job if you can’t even stay?” Cdog97
• “Arizona and Tucson should be ashamed. They turned their backs on our children.” OIFVETERAN
• “Everyone recognizes that personnel cuts must be made, but to lay off more teachers than you need to, and then call them back, shuffle them up and pass them out to other schools in the district is ridiculous.” digdeep
• “Time to go back to work, teachers, the 40-year ‘smoke break’ is over.” NevadaDemocrat
• “If a Republican was in office we would not be in this mess.” JustAnotherReader
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