The Winooski Education Association teachers will stage a walkout next Wednesday unless the school board returns to the bargaining table in good faith. For three years going, the Winooski teachers have worked without a contract, and have been subject to unilateral changes in working conditions without the benefit of their collective bargaining rights. In this day and age (and in this economy), it’s awfully unusual to see union leadership recommend a strike – and then to see rank and file approve one. It’s a testament to how bad things have gotten that the teachers feel like they have no other choice. From a Vermont NEA press release:

“For three years, the teachers of Winooski have worked without a contract. For three years, the teachers of Winooski have worked hard to collaborate with the school board on a deal that is good for teachers, good for the community and good for students,” said Brent Litterer, a negotiator for the WEA and its spokesman.

“The school board, however, has remained uncooperative, headstrong and unwilling to fully invest in the process.”

Litterer said that the men and women who teach Winooski’s children did not make this decision lightly, and they still hold out hope that a strike can be averted.

If you don’t remember, this is the school board with that had at least one member who has a history of taking marching orders from Glenn Beck (and of having his way with policy), so don’t hold your breath waiting for a good faith process.

Information on opportunities to help with a picket line or in other ways as it becomes available.