Newspaper: PA should ban teacher strikes

It's almost back to school time so let's review why Pennsylvania leads the nation in teacher strikes. Thirty-seven (37) states currently prohibit teacher strikes.

From an editorial in The Delaware County Daily Times:

In 1992, the state Legislature passed a law that decreased the number of labor actions in state schools. Act 88 created a mandatory timetable for negotiations and limited the length of school strikes by ensuring no walkout would prevent children from completing the minimum 180 days of schooling required by the state.

That was the last successful legislation dealing with teachers, who are paid, after all, by the taxpayers living in each school district with an annually uncertain contribution from state taxpayers.

No one knows what 2010 will bring, but a glance at recent contract history, ever-rising school taxes and foreclosed homes should give most residents an idea of the trend.

It’s unfortunate that whenever anyone complains about the crushing burden of school taxes he or she is immediately labeled a “teacher hater,” a person who doesn’t value children, or a selfish old codger living off the current workingman’s Social Security taxes.

But teachers should not be able to strike. Without the loss of salary inflicted on every other group that chooses to go the route of a work stoppage, educators have an unfair advantage. This year may be calm, but it would worthwhile for taxpayers in the districts facing negotiations to prepare for every option available to them, including contacting legislators if they agree with HB 1369.

Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.

For more background on why Pennsylvania leads the nation in teacher strikes, visit the Stop Teacher Strikes in Pennsylvania Web site.