With eye on Wisconsin, Florida teachers gear up !

[SugarShack]

With eye on Wisconsin, Florida teachers gear up !
With eye on Wisconsin, Florida teachers gear up for rallies
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/with-eye-on-...
By Tom Marshall and Ron Matus, Times Staff Writers
In Print: Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Florida teachers statewide began gearing up for rallies and protests as state lawmakers close in on monumental changes to how teachers are hired, fired, paid and evaluated.

And they're keeping a weather eye on Wisconsin, where thousands of unionized teachers and other public employees have descended on the Capitol for a seventh straight day as lawmakers seek to curb collective bargaining rights.

"I think they're a test case," said Matt Richardson, who teaches world history and American government at Pinellas Park High School. "If Wisconsin is successful … it would not surprise me at all if it moved to Florida and other states."

Teachers unions across the state, including Pinellas, are planning rallies in their hometowns on March 4, the Friday before the legislative session begins. Rallies to support teachers, firefighters and police officers are being organized around the state for March 8.

"Such walkouts are against the law in Florida. And the state Constitution makes it plain that unions have the right to bargain over "all terms and conditions of employment," including teacher evaluations, said Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association.

But there are signs that some on Gov. Scott's transition team hope to change that. They recommended that teacher evaluations be removed from the bargaining process, limiting such negotiations to salaries and benefits."

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[florida08]

1. yep just got together in J-ville over the weekend