Response to LRSD strike possibilities

posted by: Melissa | October 07, 2019, 05:09 PM

With the threat of a strike by the Arkansas Education Association’s Little Rock Education Association, Arkansas State Teachers Association issued the following statement:

“Teachers and education staff are all too often under-supported, under-led, and over-tasked—and they’re frustrated. In response teachers’ unions are offering more of the same: polarizing partisan politics and disruptive strikes. Partisan politics and strikes will never provide the change teachers and students need.

“The Arkansas State Teachers Association, as articulated in our Code of Ethics for Educators, does not support strikes. Arkansas Supreme Court has repeatedly indicated the Court considers teacher strikes, and public sector strikes in general, to be illegal. Strikes are tremendously disruptive to the learning environment, withholding crucial learning time, services, and other care students rely on schools to provide. Not only do strikes disproportionately affect a district’s most struggling students, families, and employees, strikes can erode much of the goodwill of parents and communities increasingly receptive to teacher concerns.

“To be clear, striking teachers are not uncaring people—they’re exhausted and exasperated. There is evidence teachers have been misinformed of the facts and pressured, being told that a contentious strike is absolutely necessary. It is not. Adversarial actions oppress support and collaboration. We must empower individual teachers and restore their voice at the policy table. Teachers, students, parents, administrators, policymakers, and communities must work together, not against one another.

“ASTA encourages our members to follow their conscience and the law and be respectful of colleagues. This is when kids need and deserve the stability, focus, and competence of their classroom teachers and support staff more than ever. We at ASTA remain committed to a teaching profession that is well-respected, student-oriented, and personally fulfilling.”

About the Arkansas State Teachers Association

The Arkansas State Teachers Association (ASTA) is a state chapter of the Association of American Educators (AAE), the largest national, non-union, professional educator organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to educator empowerment and advocacy—promoting professionalism, collaboration and excellence without a partisan agenda. ASTA-AAE is committed to a teaching profession that is student-oriented, well respected, and personally fulfilling. AAE serves members in all fifty states and welcomes certified and classified professionals from all education entities. Membership is $16.50 per month which includes $2 million professional liability insurance, employment rights coverage, professional resources and many other benefits. Visit astapro.org for further information.

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