Citing it as an "unsafe and unfriendly" working environment for teachers, CTA is calling for sanctions against the Lynwood school district and warning prospective teachers not to apply.
The vote of support for the Lynwood Teachers Association came Sunday at the quarterly meeting of the CTA's State Council of Education where nearly 800 democratically elected delegates from across the state voted for a resolution to put sanctions on the district.
"The abuses by Lynwood Unified are so extreme that CTA feels morally obligated to let prospective teachers know what they're getting into if they seek employment there," says CTA President Barbara E. Kerr. "Things are going to have to change immediately if Lynwood hopes to attract or retain teachers."
Among the many issues covered by the resolution against Lynwood Unified are:
- Contract violations that have resulted in over 150 grievances being filed during the past two years and the district's subsequent ignoring of arbitration settlements.
- Failure to support a safe environment for teachers, failure to support school discipline, and failure to deal appropriately with violent students.
- Failure to negotiate in good faith with the Lynwood Teachers Association over a contract that expired two years ago.
- Ongoing treatment of teachers with disrespect, intimidation, and contempt.
- Ongoing interference with employee rights and lawful union activities.
"Lynwood teachers have had it," says LTA President Tom Foltz. "We're tired of the intimidation and disregard for state law and our district contract. We demand change. The situation here is unfair to teachers, it's unfair to our students, and it's unfair to the community."
CTA plans to monitor working conditions in Lynwood Unified and demand that district officials treat teachers properly and follow state law.
Frank Wells