Can LA Unified and Unionized Teachers Just Get Along?

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With schools laying off teachers in record numbers nationwide, Education Secretary Arne Duncan says administrators and union leaders must get along.  But in Los Angeles, that may not happen. The teachers' union, UTLA, plans to appeal a court ruling that spares troubled schools from the principle of "last hired, first fired." Is it a way to keep the best young teachers or a way to save money by getting rid of the most experienced and most expensive? We hear from the new Superintendent, union leaders and a parent-activist. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, Wisconsin and the rights of government employees.

With schools laying off teachers in record numbers nationwide, Education Secretary Arne Duncan says administrators and union leaders must get along.  But in Los Angeles, that may not happen. The teachers' union, UTLA, plans to appeal a court ruling that spares troubled schools from the principle of "last hired, first fired." Is it a way to keep the best young teachers on board or a way to save money by getting rid of the most experienced and most expensive? We hear from the new Superintendent, union leaders and a parent-activist. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, in Wisconsin, the dispute continues between a new Republican Governor and almost all public workers.  Will it spread to other states?  Is it part of a national campaign to prevent government employees from forming unions?

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producers:

Christian Bordal, Karen Radziner, Frances Anderton