Last week, April 4th, three Staten Island Catholic schools were affected by the decision of the Federation of Catholic Teachers to protest. They were protesting against unfair labor practices and were looking for an alternative medical plan in which their teachers would be able to meet the expenses of. The three schools included St. Charles School, St. Clare’s School and Our Lady Star of the Sea. This protest had more than 50 teachers picketing outside of each of these schools. The union had previously filed a notice of unfair labor practices with the New York State Employees Relation Board but nothing was ever done about it. While the picketers did say their goal was not to be disruptive but rather send a message that what the Archdiocese is doing was not fair, it caused a big commotion.
Due to this strike, students of each of the schools missed out on a whole day’s worth of work. Instead of learning and participating in academic activities they were left with no choice but to spend the rest of the day coloring, watching movies, etc. Technically that Friday was a wasted day of school with hardly any academic learning but mostly fun, pastime activities in replacement. Parents and school board members were asked to put their busy day aside for a couple of hours to help control the classrooms, making sure the students were supervised. This also puts a strain on parents who look forward to bringing their children to school so they have time to do everything they need to do on their own. This protest disrupted their schedule and instead caused several parents to help out in the school buildings, something they would not ordinarily expect. With more than 50 protesting teachers outside each of the three schools much attention was brought to each, however, it was not the kind of attention a principal would want brought upon them. Cars slowed down to read the signs causing traffic jams, honking, and something to talk about at dinner that night. Little kids are always following in the footsteps of their elders. Seeing this, it gives students the thought that if they don’t like something that is going on inside of school they can protest it by taking the day off and standing outside with signs. This is not setting a very good example for those students.
You may ask yourself, what exactly is the positive of this strike then? Well, the teachers that were protesting were able to get a point across. They were able to show the Archdiocese that they did not agree with what was going on and that they are working in unfair labor practices. By doing what they were doing, and halting a day of schoolwork, it was thought that this would give the Archdiocese of New York’s Association of Catholic Schools a chance to consider revising the contract seeing the consequences occurring due to this strike.
I do not believe any strike is technically “the right thing to do.” While it was something the teachers felt they had to do, it was completely not fair to the students. Students go to school and look forward to learning. They do not expect to get off of the school bus and see their teachers standing outside with signs and the parents of classmates in front of the classroom trying to keep everything under control. I feel that when you take the position of a teacher you become a role model for students. Your main interest is to help the students in your classroom and share the knowledge you have gained throughout the years. I felt this strike showed that the teachers picketing cared more about themselves then they did the benefit of the students. I felt a strike like this let the students down and makes me wonder, would the teachers I currently have abandon me, my fellow classmates and our education to get a higher salary or better medical benefits?
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