If by 6:00 today they don't come to an agreement, they will strike.
Since I'm unfamiliar with unions, I asked how that effects my job as cheer coach.
My Athletic Director said that the school shuts down and I wouldn't be coaching.
Okay, legit.
However, my job is not part of a union. So I feel like he misguided me in a sense that I shouldn't coach if they strike, when in actuality, I can cross the line. I understand that he said that so I would support him. Only I'm not sure I do.
That admins (Principals, AD's etc) are angry because the board agreed to do up to 4% increase for the teachers-this depends on longevity, etc. It was not a straight across the board increase for the teachers.
Admins are asking for a 4% increase as well-HOWEVER they make exponentially (they posted their salaries) more than the majority of the people that live in this town, let alone the teachers. So I'm not all gung-ho that I think they deserve it.
So what would you do? Besides the fact that unions usually strike with unions, if you didn't support what another union was striking for, would you cross the picket line?
Re: Sooo-our Adminstrators may go on strike-? for you
I'm not familiar with the situation because our Administrators are part of the same union as us teachers, so we would all strike together. Does the school totally close down then? What about the teachers?
I would say that you would be totally free and fine to continue your coaching, however you may not be permitted to use the school as a premise to run your practices.
I have a sneaky suspicion that most of even our teacher coaches would still run practices (away from the school) in the case of a strike.
I'm union, so I can give you the union perspective.
If the union strikes, union people can't cross the line. We'll get in trouble. They also try to guilt non-union into striking too, but non-union doesn't have the same protections so they do so at their own risk.
I would say as long as the strike doesn't prohibit you from providing a safe environment for the kids there's no reason to not have practice - especially if ditching your duties will put your job in jeopardy. On the other hand, if crossing the line will make more waves than it's worth (ie, the admins will continuously hold it against you), it might be better to go with the flow.
Kate's Recipe Box || Relatively Bookish
I think that since you're non-union, you should do your job, all aspects of your job, to the best of your abilities (which may be limited because of the strike, but you get it). You don't have the same protection as the union members, and keeping your job is more important than taking sides. But, this might mean not working - depends on what is best for your job description.
I agree with Kate's description of being in a union. I know if DH's union had a strike, he would not be allowed to cross the picket line (though EMS strikes are rare rare rare... because yeah, that just wouldn't work out so well).
I was told I could practice (not on school grounds), but I would be taking the liability if anything happened to the girls.
Not. Happening.
With my luck one of my girls would sprain her ankle walking at practice.
Seriously.
I'm part of a union too. But it's not like it does anything for us. We've been on a pay freeze for the past 2 years, and the next 2 years. But don't worry our state has a surplus! but refuses to pay its employees (I'm a bit bitter)
I'm confused about what happens when a union employee crosses the picket line. What legally can a union do? Talk bad about the person? is it a fire-able offense?
In my perspective (about what's going on here) is that the Principals want a raise. The highest paid person is the HS Principal-he makes a little over $97,000.
Compare that to a teacher who makes base $27,000.
I would be pissed as teacher that I would have to go on strike because of solidarity because my boss wants to make more than $100k.