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Union/school district collision

Could a strike be that far off?

The union representing St. Louis Public Schools teachers on Sunday issued a vote of no confidence in the district administration.

About 600 union members voted unanimously, said Mary Armstrong, Local 420 president. The vote took place at an emergency meeting called to address several issues that arose at the end of the school year, primarily the notification of more than 1,000 teachers that they will have to reapply for their jobs under a federal- and state-mandated reorganization plan.

Teachers can list their preferred assignments, but the district will have the final say about where they will be teaching when classes resume in August. Teachers are not likely to lose their jobs, but could wind up at a different school, even teaching a different grade or subject.

Other issues involve payroll mistakes, summer school assignments and salary schedules. 

The teachers’ union is like any other union: they’re ultimately concerned about the wellbeing of their members.  Remember that if the union does strike and a whole lot of schoolkids are left in the lurch.