V-Day

Score One for the American Educators

Here are some follow-up stories and updates on the progress (and victory) of the Chicago Science Academy's efforts to unionize. It appears that the boys were shot down -- despite all the money they threw at their lawyers.

But knowing the guys like we do -- we anticipate them appealing the decision -- once again.

It just wouldn't look right if the Americans actually took control of their schools and demanded equal rights, treatment, and pay -- so it's a safe bet that they will keep their lawyers busy spending more tax payer money.

The decision issued read as follows:

"NLRB Region 13 Chicago:DECISION AND ORDER: The Region has issued a decision dismissing the Employer's RM petition on the basis that the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board has jurisdiction over the petitioned-for teachers employed by Chicago Mathematics & Science Academy Charter School."

Here's a story about the ruling from WBEZ:

http://wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=44555

Many charter-school advocates say their goal is to loosen bureaucratic constraints on classroom innovation. But a federal ruling this week could make it harder for many Chicago-area charter schools to avoid union contracts.

Illinois allows a union to represent a charter school’s teachers if a majority of them sign union cards.

But a North Side charter school, the Chicago Math and Science Academy, didn’t recognize the state’s authority. It claimed to be a private employer and, therefore, subject to federal rules. That could have forced an election.

Now a regional office of the National Labor Relations Board has rejected the school’s claim.

MALIN: This basically eliminates a step for the union. It doesn’t now have to win an election.

Chicago-Kent College of Law’s Martin Malin writes about public-sector labor relations.

MALIN: No. 2, it really cuts down on the ability of the employer to campaign -- to persuade the employees to reject the union.

Most Chicago Math and Science Academy teachers this spring signed cards to join the American Federation of Teachers. The union already represents educators at eight of Chicago’s 104 charter-school campuses.

We asked the academy Tuesday whether it would appeal the ruling but did not hear back.

MALIN: This basically eliminates a step for the union. It doesn’t now have to win an election.

Chicago-Kent College of Law’s Martin Malin writes about public-sector labor relations.

MALIN: No. 2, it really cuts down on the ability of the employer to campaign -- to persuade the employees to reject the union.

Most Chicago Math and Science Academy teachers this spring signed cards to join the American Federation of Teachers. The union already represents educators at eight of Chicago’s 104 charter-school campuses.

We asked the academy Tuesday whether it would appeal the ruling but did not hear back.