Jockeying continues ahead of DCTA-DPS mediation
Thursday, August 7, 2008Written by: Alan Gottlieb
Erase any doubts about how high the stakes are in the current ProComp-fueled bargaining impasse between Denver Public Schools and the Denver Classroom Teacher Association. The two sides are frantically jockeying for position in advance of mediation sessions scheduled for later this month. DCTA President Kim Ursetta has posted a slideshow detailing the union’s poisiton on her blog, and DPS Supt. Michael Bennet yesterday sent this missive to DPS employees.
You’d think with millions of dollars on the table, the two parties to the disagreement could quickly come to terms. But as stories here, here and here point out, this is a fight over substantive stuff, and neither side appears inclined to give ground. I’d bet heavily against a strike, especially with the DNC carnival heading our way. But stranger things have happened.
August 8th, 2008 at 12:30 am
While I would like to place my bet with Gottlieb, sadly, I fear that a strike is certainly something DCTA leadership is supporting. There has been a strike-themed article in every edition of The Slate (DCTA newsletter) since February. Including one in May titled “Prepare to Strike.”
For the sake of the students, teachers and communities of DPS, I sure hope I’m wrong.