Since someone brought up the letter sent by OUSD to classified employees, I thought I’d paste some of it here to you can read it for yourselves:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR NON-STRIKING EMPLOYEES
It is important for all employees to know that District administration understands that any employee strike puts all employees in an uncomfortable situation. We understand that employees may feel sympathetic toward the cause of their colleagues and want to support them. We hope that all employees also remember that we have moral and contractual obligations in service of students. This brief FAQ is not meant to resolve the uncomfortable nature of any strike, but rather to clarify the legal rights and responsibilities of employees.

Am I required to work on April 29?
Thursday, April 29 will be a work day for all employees. Employees who are absent without pre-authorization will be considered absent without leave and incur associated financial and retirement consequences. In our current labor agreements, we have specific provisions dealing with strikes or work stoppages of other units. All such provisions provide that participation in such activities is subject to discipline, up to and including termination. We understand that you may wish to exercise your conscience by not crossing a picket line, but such a decision will subject you to the consequences indicated. This is not to state that the District has planned any specific action in response to unauthorized absences. It is simply meant to reinforce the responsibilities of employees and our rights as an employer. Again, April 29 is a work day and there is no provision for not being at work other than identified leave policies. We have been in direct consultation with union representatives, including SEIU and AFSCME and are confident that our understanding and our expectations of employees are shared with union leadership.

What if I’m sick?
All employees who are sick will be asked to provide written verification as provided in their labor contract with the District. Failure to do so will be considered abuse of sick leave policies and subject to loss of pay and discipline.

What if there is a picket line?
As with any work day, if there is an obstruction at the work location that makes entry unsafe (not just uncomfortable), we expect employees to call your administrator for assistance and await that assistance in order to enter the premises. If your administrator cannot be reached, the Oakland School Police can be reached at (510) 224-1001 and Custodial Services can be reached at (510) 879-8400.

This is blatant fear-mongering, unsubstantiated by OUSD’s own adopted disciplinary policies for unauthorized absences. Hyperbole’s not helpful, whatever side you’re on.

There are 26,200 air traffic controllers in the entire USA. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos108.htm#emply. Plus, they need only a bachelors’ degree. So, they were relatively easy to replace. The numbers re: teachers make it impossible to just fire them.

As for claims that some have made that the district is trying to “bust” the union, well that ain’t going to happen either — there’s a reason that public employees make up a huge proportion of the remaining union members in the USA.

So, what say both sides just chill with the silly rhetoric.

“How many teachers would stay out to honor a strike by cafeteria workers or noon supervisors or clerks?”

While I don’t know what a noon supervisor is, I can definitely say with confidence I would never cross a picket line to shop or work. I have no idea with the overall percentage would be, but I know I’m not alone.

I pray there is no violence or vandalism, but it happens. Labor strife is not pretty. People who feel all other options are exhausted have a tendency to act out. Me, I’d just quit, but hey, I understand the personal commitment that some feel.

Fact is April 29th is a WORK DAY. Some will not work because “my union made me do it.” Some will not work due to “personal conviction.” Some will not work due to all kinds of “fear”, justified or not. No matter, grownups are making grownup decisions and are subject to grownup consequences. It’s really that simple.

Frankly, it begins to sound like whining when people can’t make a decision, stand behind it and suffer the consequences. I know it’s hard, I know it’s uncomfortable, but it’s also life.

Am I missing something or is it that the truth just hurts sometimes?

Also, taking a one day strike day near someone’s retirement is not going to make a dent in their STRS. If they have any sick days banked up, that takes care of it. If they don’t, it is literally pennies a day. So the retirement thing doesn’t fly with me.

Although, it is unfortunate that there are hard feelings and resentment of those who benefit from others suffering, i.e. strike breakers vs strikers, it is going to happen. Any strike breaker has to weigh the benefits of crossing the line with losing face/respect of their colleagues. One would hope that as we are all adults, those hard feelings would be kept to ones self and not used to bully or belittle others. Just a thought.