[FreedomPoster]

Thanks in advance, all.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Tell him to forget it. Cancel school. And take the tax money and refund it to parents in the form of vouchers which they can pay for private schools.

[wideawake]

I would contact the National Right to Work Foundation. They are a nonprofit and have experience with labor law and contracts - I'm sure one of their attorneys would be happy to give your friend some pointers on what to do.

[telebob]

If your school board has the money, they should hire a professional labor negotiations outfit, preferably one with experience in dealing with teachers' unions.

Then you have pros going up against pros while the board members call the shots from down the hall.

[anniegetyourgun]

Having been through a few of these myself (as chief negotiator), I would be quite amazed if their spokesperson wasn't also just as savvy and seasoned as the union thug from downtown. In fact, I suspect the union thug and their management rep are well acquainted, having done battle many times before. Your friend needs to provide technical (board wishes and policy considerations) advice to the spokesperson, and otherwise shut up.

If, on the other hand, the district has truly left the negotiating to the amateurs, they'll get what they paid for. But I seriously doubt that is the case.

[freemama]

Best of luck to your friend. I am a former teacher in a state where either you are union member or you pay them anyway because they negotiate for all school employees. these unions are extremely strong and have a ton of support from both the state and national organization when it comes to negotiating contracts.

I think the best advice has already been given: tell your friend to hire a prefessional labor negotiator. It will save the taxpayers many times the cost of hiring the person if he/she does their job well. Voters could be told that in the local newspaper too! In fact do publish it before the union puts their spin on it.

[FreedomPoster]

Evening bump.

[FreedomPoster]

One last bump for this.