A group of laid off teachers brought a petition to the offices of the North Clackamas Education Association in Oregon protesting the union’s decision to accept job cuts over salary freezes – contrary, they claim, to the wishes of the members. 

“We took a poll in the spring and they got our opinion and the majority said wage freeze,” said Monica Whiteley, who was laid off. "If I was her I would. So I would like them to look at the poll or honor it and have us look at the memo of understanding that is out there.”

SORRY I HAVE TO STEP IN HERE: A POLL ABOUT A POSSIBLITY INVOVING THE MOST GENERAL OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND AT A TIME WELL BEFORE THE THE TRUTH HAD  LEAKED TO THE SURFACE? JUST BEFORE THE BOARD WAS SET TO VOTE ON IT? THIS STINKS OF CORUPTION AND IS HAPPENING AT LOCALS ALL OVER THE STATE. THIS IS CTA  LEADERSHIP AT IT'S FINEST. SCREW THE LOWER MEMBERS FOR THE GOOD OF THE DYING (SOON TO RETIRE) ELEPHANTS. THIS WAS ATTEMPED IN MY CTA LOCAL. IT IS NOT A VOTE ON AN ACTION ITEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They said they feel the union hasn’t been listening or communicating.  “I have felt like my voice has not been heard. I wasn’t asked was I OK with losing my job,” said Jenny Klassen, another laid off teacher.

Meanwhile, members of the Kent Education Association in Washington state voted overwhelmingly to go on strike. Only one problem with that: Washington courts and the Attorney General’s office have repeatedly ruled that teacher strikes, like any public-employee strike in Washington State, are illegal.The KEA disagrees, however... There lots of ways around that if true!!!!