2011

Suddenly it seems that collective bargaining rights for public employees are under attack in several states including Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Tennessee.

These include attacks on state affiliates of the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. 

Interfaith Worker Justice has created a Prayer for Public Sector Workers.

For a labor rights perspective, check out our new web page, Public Sector Workers, read the article in United Church News, UCC Clergy, Members Rally in Support of Workers' Rights, and consult the Interfaith Worker Justice's web page, where statements are posted from religious leaders in support of public servants.

Here are especially good resources related to attacks on teachers and their right to organize.

• NEW! October, 2011: Policy Matters Ohio has released a new report, Benefits of Bargaining: How Public Worker Negotiations Improve Ohio Communities.
  

• Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs, pastor at the San Marino, California Congregational United Church of Christ and former executive director of the UCC Office of Communication and OC, Inc., shares this reflection on the importance to his own family of his children's public school teachers.  "What's up with all this business about slamming teachers and dumping on public education?" he asks.

• Harold Meyerson, in "Wisconsin and Beyond," a short column from the American Prospect, reflects on the attacks on collective bargaining by governors and legislatures in several states and the meaning of the huge protests that have followed.
  

• Here is the March 2011 Newsletter of Education Justice at the Education Law Center.

• March 31: Marie Myung-OK Lee, who now teaches writing at Brown University, writes this tribute to two high school English teachers in Hibbing, Minnesota, teachers who helped form her as a person and as a writer: "What I Learned at School."

• Rev. David Hill, pastor of First Church, United Church of Christ, Oberlin Ohio, delivered these remarks, "Public Servants and the Common Good," at a rally in support of public sector unions and public employees.  The rally was held in Tappan Square, Oberlin, Ohio, March 15, 2011.
  

• Education historian Diane Ravitch, posted Eight Civics Lessons from Governor Walker, March 14, 2011, Huffington Post.
  

• George Wood, principal of Federal Hocking High School here in Ohio, posted an excellent blog on why he is very comfortable working with teachers unions through collective bargaining.