Detroit teachers will vote next week on whether to launch a safety strike over concerns they have about returning to classrooms amid COVID-19.
"The Detroit Federation of Teachers, on behalf of its over 4,000 members, has continuously expressed concern with the district regarding its reopening plan," the union said in a statement Friday. "A few weeks ago we issued a list of demands in partnership with our sister unions. Our demands continue to go ignored and so it is now time for us to bring the question to our membership to make a difficult but necessary decision for what is in the best interest of our students and members."
More: Protesters arrested on fourth day of blocking buses for Detroit summer school
More: Lawsuit seeks to shut down Detroit summer school
Michigan law prevents teacher strikes, but it's unclear how a "safety strike" would be interpreted if teachers have health concerns and are willing to work remotely.
The vote on whether to strike is scheduled for Wednesday. On July 28, the union issued a list of demands that included delaying face-to-face instruction.
It said the Detroit Public Schools Community District should wait until Gov. Gretchen Whitmer moves the region to Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start plan and then only providing it for special needs students. The district should wait until the region moves to Phase 6 before offering it to all students.
The union also sought "mandatory and regular testing protocols for staff, students and anyone who regularly enters facilities."
Other demands included having the district work with the union on its reopening plan, allowing teachers to work remotely if they have health concerns or vulnerable family members. The list also called for hazard pay for teachers and for a commitment to not outsource school service jobs.
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said at the time that the district has increased teacher salaries by an average of more than $10,000 in recent years. He added that the district's plan comports with the governor's Mi Safe Start Plan and he raised legal questions about mandatory testing.
"State law does not require a student test and a parent could legally object to testing in order to access a public school," Vitti said in response to the union.
Vitti said he was willing to negotiate hazard pay and remote working conditions for some teachers.
Contact John Wisely: 313-222-6825 or jwisely@freepress.com. On Twitter @jwisely
"strike" - Google News
August 14, 2020 at 09:45PM
https://ift.tt/2Y1iLYM
Detroit teachers plan strike vote over coronavirus safety concerns - Detroit Free Press
"strike" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2WheuPk
https://ift.tt/2VWImBB
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Detroit teachers plan strike vote over coronavirus safety concerns - Detroit Free Press"
Post a Comment