Tacoma Teacher Strike 2011: We Teach Tacoma

[Generic Other]

Run time: 06:11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rkzzJsLQng   Posted on YouTube: September 17, 2011 By YouTube Member: Larkworthy Views on YouTube: 5   Posted on DU: September 17, 2011 By DU Member: Generic Other Views on DU: 1451

 
Footage of Tacoma Teacher Strike, September 16, 2011. In defiance of a court order, teachers picket the Central Administration Building in Tacoma, Washington. "We Teach Tacoma!" the strikers chant.

Students, parents, families, musicians, representatives from other teachers' unions, longshoremen, Veterans for Peace, local churches and assorted pets join in support of the teachers of their community.

Solidarity for Tacoma Education Association.

Filmed by Larkworthy Antfarm on a Nikon Coolpix.

[iemitsu]

1. the support that teachers recieved today on the picket line

was awesome.
here is an edited version of today's e-mail report i sent to my mother:
today all the strikers walked at central. *spouse* and i arrived at about 6:15 am and there were already about 100 strikers there. by 8:00 the numbers had dramatically grown. i think there were over 3000 people surrounding CAB. we walked four or five abreast and completely surrounded the two whole blocks where central and its annexes sit (the blocks are longer than the residential blocks in tacoma but about as deep). about 9:00 a massive number of students arrived chanting "we love our teachers" they bought their band instruments and played rousing marching tunes for us. some teachers joined in the impromptu band. businesses and families provided coffee, drinks and snacks (and moral support). two local churches opened their parking lots and doors, and provided refreshments and facilities for the strikers. at one point someone on the fourth floor of cab leaned out and shouted support. she was dragged in and the window was closed. a few minutes later she reemerged waving a white flag. i hope she is not targeted for her support.
the union made a new offer to the district yesterday but they have not responded (even though the judge ordered them to return to the table). today they went to court again. we heard rumors that we might be fined $ every day we were out. but that was not determined today. i know that the superintendent was disappointed as his auto-call, closing schools monday, described today's hearing as a hollow victory (i think this is because there were no fines levied). the district has not even considered the new offer from the union and appears to think that they can win through the courts. the governor has even told them they had to return to the table.
i hope this is over soon but i fear it may not be. i believe the real goal is to break the union.

[Generic Other]

2. I like your report...sorry to say, I was too tired to type.

I loved the band. It was made up of kids and teachers, some who claimed to be rusty. But how cool they sounded! And the student body president from Lincoln High who led the students chanting: "I say 'Fair,' you say 'Contract'" was a natural born Labor Union President if I ever heard one!

[midnight]

3. K&R for the teachers...

[Enthusiast]

4. That sure is a fun strike!

[Generic Other]

5. The students have been amazingly supportive

When 93% of the teachers voted to defy the judge's order, they left the Tacoma Dome (rented by other locals across the state), the students formed a gauntlet to cheer the teachers on as they left!

They brought their band instruments, their megaphones, their pom poms and their beautiful signs.

In a town where 45% are below the poverty line, the kids know what is at stake. They know who cares about them. Without the teachers, the poverty rate would no doubt be higher.

I came from a poor family. I owe my education to Tacoma teachers. Especially my sense of social justice.

[Enthusiast]

6. Thank you.

I find this very encouraging.

[iemitsu]

7. K&R

so others won't miss this example of community supporting workers.