Commuting to the NEA RA.
It’s a Windy City RA.
Although there will not be much wind tomorrow as the temperature threatens to hit triple digits.
Outside McCormick Place.
Inside it might get hotter.
Merit pay, teacher performance evaluations and an early no strings endorsement for the Obama administration all threaten to make the convention hall filled with 9,000 delegates a little heated.
As they should.
My first state caucus meeting is at 1PM at the Palmer House. The “venerable old Palmer House,” the cliche artists will say.
And there again tomorrow morning, with the large business meetings at the convention hall starting Saturday.
A reporter for a major newspaper asked me what Obama needs to do for me to support an NEA endorsement?
“Get rid of the leadership of the Department of Education. Make a reauthorized ESEA less punitive, less a burden on schools, teachers and kids with less federal testing requirements. Do away with funding races. Aggressively defend collective bargaining rights.”
I want more, of course.
Ending three stupid wars would do more to free up money for schools than ending all the tax breaks for corporate jets.
But when we sit down at the table with the Obama people those could be our opening negotiating position.
You are dead on correct that this is bargaining. We are forever whining about a “seat at the table.” For once we have a table, and they want to sit at it; and DVR and the “leadership” of state affiliates (mine included) want to ignore that opportunity and get all lathered up for an early endorsement. I bargained many contracts…this is the time to get, not to give up. Obama wants an endorsement? That puts us in a strong position; let’s not be weak. Duncan’s gotta go. The Race to the Trough model has gotta go. The “punishing teachers is good for kids” has gotta go.
Be strong!