Teachers Vote to Extend Work Action (Berkeley)

[struggle4progress]

By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

With no end in sight to either the impasse in contract negotiations or the ongoing work-to-rule action, Berkeley teachers held an hour long demonstration in front of the Berkeley Unified School Administration Building Tuesday afternoon.

Some 300 teachers and their supporters participated, many stretching in a solid line on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from the Public Safety Building to the bail bond office across Allston Way.

A line of children stood on the Old City Hall steps, each holding a placard with letters that collectively spelled out “FAIR CONTRACT NOW.” Demonstrators blew whistles, chanted, and waved at passing motorists with signs that ranged from “Don’t Cut My Benefits And Call It A Pay Raise,” “$3,000,000 New To BUSD And Teachers Are Supposed To Take A Pay Cut?” and “Honk For Berkeley Teachers.” Many motorists honked in support. <snip>

Members of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers have been working without a new contract for two years, and contract negotiations with district representatives are currently being handled through a state-appointed mediator. <snip>

http://www.berkeleydaily.org/text/article.cfm?issue=05-06-05&storyID=21321