This is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of each other. The times are tough economically. Fighting among the workers, and teachers are part of the work force, is just what the "fat cats" want us to do. We need to support each other as a community. No one is expecting a huge salary increase. We all just want a job that has some benefits that keep us from losing our shirts when we're ill, and an income that keeps us fed with a roof over our heads. We are all in this together.
Ms. Wicket

spiderpig - Certainly. However, don't forget that teachers will get a raise anyway because of step increases. They could certainly freeze the schedule for a year, but that would have to come from the JEA, or it would be viewed as a power grab by the administration. If the JEA did propose that, it would be a huge leverage point to get agreement on issues like prep time.
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Also, a lot of the prep time issues come about because of inadequate classroom/duty coverage and absenteeism. In order to guarantee prep time, the district would be forced to hire more staff, or keep floating staff available to cover. Hence, it becomes an economic issue real quick. It's definitely a messy situation, but not one with an easy solution. :(

ross- your points on economic issues are well taken. The working condition issues, however, have been brewing (and largely ignored) by the school district for some time. Given the state of the economy, don't you suppose that both sides would want to tackle these issues understanding much of a raise would be unpopular. Most of the teachers' working condition issues have been scoffed at by the district. I bet some teachers would consider guaranteed prep time is worth forfeiting X dollars instead of sitting in meetings for the sake of having meetings or seeing which recycled acronym the district wants to re-initiate this year.

inconvenienttruth - I do not mean to downplay that other groups are unionized... please do not assume that I am discounting other unionized groups in the school district. I was only illustrating an example I know to be true.
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spiderpig - I'm not surpised that the JEA hasn't submitted an economic proposal. That's usually what happens. It's to the JEA's advantage to seek agreement to non-economical items before talking about economic items... they're usually small fish at the bargaining table. The problem is, economic issues are usually discuss LAST, which almost always stalls negotiations to a standstill. Since economic issues are usually the main concern of administration... it can create backpedaling on tenative agreements on non-economic items.

rossnmeg- perhaps you are correct that many unions simply negotiate on money. However it has been my understanding that the teachers have not submitted an economic offer much to the school district's dismay. They have stressed working conditions, minute allotment for certain duties away from the classroom, endless meetings etc. Maybe some of this anger should be directed at the school district for not realizing this is the year they could get a contract without significant additional expenses. Speaking of expenses, does anybody know if their negotiation lawyer gets paid by the hr, day, or is it a flat rate? I hear lawyers do not come cheap. In fact I think they make more than teachers, and this one is getting paid by OUR tax dollars. How much did your last lawyer visit cost?

Domino wrote..."But, why is John Doe paying $1800 in property taxes"

I WISH I was only paying $1800 in property taxes....

PBR Man,
I did think about what I said with my analogy. Lots of people are complaining about the high taxes in the city and believe me they are high. My point is that many people are complaining that they are senior citizens on fixed incomes and that they shouldn't have to pay taxes. My point is that given the state of our country, our tax dollars are currently paying with our checks for the people on social security and the way things are going, when I can retire in 23 years that who knows if we will even have social security. Taxes should not be linked to whether or not you have kids in the schools. And as far as police protection, you are correct in stating that police protection is for all of us and the costs are high for those in prison, etc. But, why is John Doe paying $1800 in property taxes and I have to pay $4800 in property taxes if everyone is protected?

Their purpose isn't different than their original intent; their intent is different than their original intent. Many unions are no longer defensive, but offensive. However, they're still for the purpose of giving employees leverage in negotiating with employers.
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You also know unions are used by more than teachers, right? Because I find it "amusing" that you dismissed negotiating "working conditions" as amounting to nothing more than concerns about late hours.

It's not that unions don't have a place in the workforce... it's that the unions' purpose is drastically different than their original function. 916WI has a very valid point. OSHA covers workplace safety infractions, and workers compensation insurance covers unfortunate mishaps.
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Most of union negotiations focus on economic conditions. The non-economic issues are usually throwaway concessions, never dealbreakers... so it's kind of amusing to hear mention of unions fighting for "working conditions." If someone applying to be a teacher doesn't expect late nights catching up on work, then they had a pathetic advisor in college!

"The segment of the workforce that unions benefit are those employees who do substandard work."
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Untrue. Apparently you're not aware of what a union is, or the limits of their influence. If you truly do "substandard" work, no union can save you from being fired.
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"Unions are a crutch for this group."
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Again, if you truly do "substandard" work, no union can save you from being fired. Or have no teachers in this city ever been fired? Refresh my memory.
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"We're not in the 1930's anymore--the government now has laws and organizations in place that coddle and baby employees to no end."
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Funny you don't name them.
It must have been a real torturous inner struggle to decide which you wanted to publicly back - unions, or the government.
But good point; this isn't the 1930's. Therefore, it must also be true that we don't have pay inequity in this country. We don't experience unsanitary work conditions in this country. We don't experience job insecurity in this country. Right?
You might as well claim that the Civil Rights Act was unecessary because the Fourteenth Amendment already stated that "no state shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." I mean, the law says so, so people MUST be following/enforcing it! There's no other possibility!

getoverit1972
Do you live in Illinois? WI teachers cannot strike.

I'm definitely an "anti-union" person. If you are not happy with certain aspects of your current job, move on--take your skills elsewhere. The segment of the workforce that unions benefit are those employees who do substandard work. Unions are a crutch for this group. There will always be a demand for people that have skills in their line of work and use those skills well. We're not in the 1930's anymore--the government now has laws and organizations in place that coddle and baby employees to no end.

Domino - you really didn't think about what you just said before you said it. Nice analogy.

1. You pay in to social security so that it is there when you need it. Did you plan to pay it all in a lump sum when you retire?
2. You pay police protection TO patrol the areas with high crime so that YOU are protected. News Flash: if you are caught doing crime in that "high crime" area, there is financial retribution for doing that crime.

You have missed the point of most of the posters here. Most of us appreciate teachers. It is the greed of the unions that draw ire. In my dealing with unions, one of two things is going on with the JEA.
1. They are not negotiating as to keep the current contract as long as possible because they are aware of the economic conditions and fear that they don't have leverage for more or the same as the current contract.
2. They are planning a strategy to identify the budget impact and where they can attack it to their advantage, and go back to the teachers with more. Every contract is about getting more (or take as it was referred to).

If the two scenerios are not true, then enlighten us to what is going on. Both sides don't want to be the first to talk, because the first is the loser. What ever is offered first is the basis for negotiation.

Domino, what's your real name?

Getoverit1972,

I was just wondering if a teacher wrote this article. The less you say, the smarter you are. So what if the Rock County 911 Center is working without a contract. They don't have the right to strike. Do you know that teachers also don't have the right to strike? Teachers are thankful for their jobs. The Gazette is who is reporting this information to fill up their columns. If they would like to do a story on Rock County 911, encourage them to do so. However, now that the economy is bad here in Janesville, teachers become the scapegoats. I could argue that why should I be paying social security out of my check for the elderly because I currently am not using it and don't even know if it will be around when I finally can retire. Or one could pose the argument as to why I have to pay more in taxes for my house than someone down in the fourth ward. My taxes go toward police officer's salaries, but I choose to obey the laws yet I pay for them to patrol areas where crime is heavier. I don't believe I've heard the teacher's pouting. I do know how many hours they put in over and above what they are paid to do. The community generally starts to complain when they only work what they are required to do. If you think teacher's have it so easy, write your real name on your post and volunteer in a classroom for a few days. You will have a new respect for what they do.

"If the public wasn't taking said services then there would be no issue....it is pretty much a catch 22"
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Not really. Since the taking you describe is required by law it is really fulfilling a requirement. Not all parents have their children in these schools, yet all property owners are taxed. The bottom line is if the employees are not happy they can seek employment elsewhere.

"Liberalism creates an atmoshpere and haze of entitlement."
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Umm...unions are the result of the Industrial Revolution, which brought about our modern capitalistic economy.

Unions are purposeful and effective...when they work toward their original intent, which is to ensure work conditions, job security and fairness of pay/promotion. It's not the job of a union to test the waters and see just how much they can advantageously grab at for no other reason than the fact that, oh, it's time to renegotiate again!

Taxpayers are 'taking' nothing: they are offering employment at a wage and benefit level that many jump at (many teaching jobs get over 100 applicants). This is not 'taking.' The government throwing me in prison if I don't pay taxes is taking.

By the way, I've worked my whole life without a contract.

RetiredAirForce"In a free society if you don't think you are compensated justly for your efforts feel free to seek employment elsewhere. Stop holding taxpayers paychecks as a collection plate for those that want to "take"." If the public wasn't taking said services then there would be no issue....it is pretty much a catch 22

Justin if you have a question ask it. I made my point.

RAF - Way to avoid the question.

"where were the big raises when the economy was great if we are suppose to take nothing now."
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The word "take" combined with employees of local and federal governments is a juxtaposition many taxpayers have problems with. Taxes are taken wages are earned; don't get you panties in wad, I never said teachers don't earn their wages.

In a free society if you don't think you are compensated justly for your efforts feel free to seek employment elsewhere. Stop holding taxpayers paychecks as a collection plate for those that want to "take".

whythink - answer to question #2; it is called QEO

It's clear that the Janesville Gazette wants to stir up things.

First, I don't believe the problem is $.
Second, where were the big raises when the economy was great if we are suppose to take nothing now.
Third, nobody is whining. No actions are be taken...teachers are quietly, without incident, working without a contract.
Fourth, the 911 operators can perform any of the job actions that teachers perform.
Fifth, I am thankful for my job and that I chose this profession. I don't believe I should be punished because some didn't.

imsmart2, it's called "reading between the lines".

Are you all reading a different article than I am? I don't see anything here about whining, pouting, or demanding more money. Or are you just assuming that the teachers MUST be doing what they did a few years ago becuase they don't care or understand the state of the economy?

Liberalism creates an atmoshpere and haze of entitlement. Union negotiators are a form of fuel that keeps the entitlement fire going....

darwin1 - those phones being answered are in most cases life and death situations that you would have no concept of how to deal with. Dealing with children is tough, I agree. However, teachers got into the profession already knowing that! Just like the dispatchers got into their profession knowing that the bottom line is to help people. It's the constant complaining that they are working w/o a contract that has those who work everyday w/o a contract (and w/o complaint to the paper) is what upsets the rest of us!

darwin - I don't think you know what you're talking about.

I'm also tired of hearing about workers whos salaries are publicly funded say they deserve pay raises in a recession. You know what? We all deserve raises. However, MANY of the people who pay for these salaries through taxes have gone without pay raises for the last 2 or 3 years. Many people don't even have jobs. How completely egocentric for these taxpayer funded workers to whine about how much they "deserve" more money. It's tough all around! It's time for state, city, and school district budgets to be CUT. We all need to suck it up.

Yes, the shut up and be thankful comment. Too bad getoverit can't follow their own advice. Comparing someone who answers phones to someone with an education and who handles more children than any parent does is absurd.

The Rock County 911 Center (among other county facilities) are also working without a contract, however, it never makes the news. Why ?!? Because they don't have the power to strike or protest. Each day they come in to work to answer phones, send police and fire where they need to go because they have a responsibility to the community. The teachers have a responsibility to the community also, they just don't realize it. Maybe the teachers should be thankful they have a job to go to each weekday! It sure sends a great message to the students.... pout until you get what you want!