Nov 21, 2015 1 min read

While believing the Peters Township teachers do need a reality check, I support their right to strike. However, we need to change state law to reduce the required number of days of instruction from 180 down to 160 when teachers go on strike. As it stands, the teachers bear no economic hardship from striking, other than deferring income. They aren’t losing income, because our state law mandates that they will work the same amount of time and therefore will be paid their full salaries.

My dad worked in the steel mills for many years and, when they went on strike, times were tough for the families. The union helped a little, but those wages were lost for all time. So there was incentive on the workers, the same as management, to come to an agreement. With school teachers, though, it’s, “Who cares how long we’re out, I’ll still get all my money, so ‘Workers of the World Unite!'”

Urge your State Representatives and Senators to revise this law to bring some reality to teachers strikes!

Gary Rosensteel

McMurray