(Hanley, December, 5, 2001, p. D5) (Hanley, December, 8, 2001, p. D 1) Mediation is in fact not a last resort, even though it often seems so in public representations of these sorts of conflicts, it is actually a rather effective and logical step in a chain of reconciliation.
One long time teacher mentioned to the reporter covering the strike that in all the time she had been a teacher there had never been a peaceful resolution to contract negotiations. (Hanley, December 6, 2001, p. D1) Understanding the full scope of the problem is unlikely as few people understand what it is like to go to work in limbo, as teachers frequently do. They frequently go to work not knowing if and what or sometimes even when they will receive a paycheck. Many mistakes were made on both sides of this bargaining table. The first of which was timing.
The bargaining timing of this event is suspect as both sides seem to be using the volatility of the community, in the wake of serious 9/11 backlash to aide them in their struggle for a resolution that best represents their needs, the School board in the sense that they were likely fully aware that any small complaint on the part of the teacher and the union would likely be belittled by a public that had just dealt with super human tragedy. The teachers on the other hand seeking demonstrative examples of how to have a better and safe life (the biggest issue...
The Judge in the contempt situation exacerbated the situation by creating martyrs over what turned out to be a $59,000 savings for the community, which in the scope of labor costs is miniscule and yet 43 teachers spent from 4 days to a week in jail, away from their students and their families, unnecessarily. The public and the legal system obviously felt strongly that the situation needed to be resolved, with teachers in classrooms as the wake of the 9/11 situation demanded that students have a structured and calm environment of support to help them deal with the events which had occurred in New York and elsewhere. (though this is not mentioned in the articles) Both sides made a distinct error as one created martyrs and the other became martyrs over a relatively limited change in a time when the community needed them to agree most.
Bibliography
Hanley, R. Judge Jails 43 More as Teachers Defy an Order. The New York Times, December, 5, 2001, p. D5
Hanley, R. Teachers' Strike Grows Angrier, but Support of Residents Is Elusive. The New York Times, December 6, 2001, p. D1
Hanley, R. Strike…
