I commend the JEA for their web site. Yes it presents the "facts" as they them. But that's the point.

As always, there are still two sides to the issues. Everyone should do their own factfinding and make YOUR views known.

I support the teachers, but I also hope they understand that just because everyone doesn't see it the way they do does not mean those people are anti-teacher. It's not as simple as George Bush would have one believe when he say's "you're either for us or against us."

wonders; Unions may have been formed initially to help the "blue collar" workers but they certainly have evolved to benefit all classes of workers, regardless of society's definition.
And to all who complain about unions, remember, YOU are the union. If you don't like what your union is doing, take an active role to work for positive change.
And concerning the GM union; The UAW has always backed other unions.....WHEN IT IS SELF SERVING.

I am new to this blog area, but I have to ask this. Don’t you have to have higher education to become a teacher? I thought a degree in teaching was needed, I could be wrong. All this time I though unions were formed in this country to help the blue-collar worker, not the more educated worker. You have to want to become a teacher to do the job, if you think it is not a good field to be in why be in it? Maybe I am naive, but I always thought teachers did what they do because they care about the students. If it is “ just another job” to them, maybe they need to find something else to do. I am for education, don’t get me wrong on that point, but in what little experience I have had with unions, they tend to protect the worker that is the “slacker” in the work force. Workers that try to make any company money, and that is why you work for some one by the way, to make them money, don’t seem to ever have any problems. So I say this, do the job you are hired to do to the best of your ability.

Quite honestly, it's not about putting the children first. It's about putting their own families and livlihood before their students. I would hope most people would do that. I'm not sure what the issues are, but usually insurance, contract time, and salaries play a role. As a union, teachers must work together. It's not like a regular 9-5 job where your job description, hours, and benefits are discussed one-on-one with your boss. You can't make changes or request changes, by yourself, within a school district.

Wow, not supporting teachers picketing is not supporting education, with that kind of logic you must be a teacher...No just kidding. Why isn't the local union at GM more supportive of the teachers union, that's easy because there is a thought that they might not be right.. Well I could be wrong about that too. I clearly value education, but I think it is a shame what this has come too. What ever happened to putting the children first.

BTW - The http://www.supportjea.com/ relates the stance of the JEA, not necessarily those of individual teachers. Ask your son/daughters teachers what their stance is. Will they come to work the next time there is a scheduled sick out or not..

It's so funny to everyone that has to complain about something in this town they always put Gm into it. Do you work there probably not! You should get your true facts straight Curlrock before you complain the teachers are being baby's once again what they want and are doing is plain stupid if you want to keep calling and faking your sickness or picketing outside of the school then resign and let someone else teach are kids!

This community clearly does not value education! Should people not stand up for what they believe in? Apparently not if it is related to education in Janesville!

I have lived here for 20 years and still don't understand something. How can a city that tries to run a pizza place out of business for not serving free pizzas to picketers be against teachers picketing. I have no opinion on whether the teachers demands are right or not, but this really amazes me. Why isn't the local union at GM more supportive of the teachers union. Are their wages and benefits more important than the teachers? Help me understand how this works?

You need to go to www.supportjea.com and read the real facts about the issue. The Gazette will not print the teacher side of the issues.

I guess I would rather seem them in a pointless march versus a bogus sick out where all the students sit around all day watching movies because the teachers left no plans...

Both sides need to get off their lazy butts and get this settled, it's getting pretty rediculous.

And what does this teach the kids that see this. If you don't like what authority tells you, stand up to authority and tell them to do it my way....

This is retarded!!! What are they marching for?????? Maybe they all joined the band I guess??? Once again the good ol Janesville Gazette gets a prize story!!!!!