Los Angeles Teachers’ Strike Settlement

This strike has been an education in the truest sense of the word. However, this one had little to do with books and pencils.

As educators we have precious little time to spend with one another but we won’t soon forget one memorable exception. Those of us on strike from my school went to breakfast one morning after picketing to assess how we were holding up as a group. At that time we each shared our feelings about continuing our resolve to stay on strike and the discussion started to grow into something else.

Our sharings made me truly proud to be in this beleaguered profession. We spoke about ours being one of the most important jobs on the planet. We spoke of being separated from those little faces that came to the fence every day and we were grieving. There was a growing awareness of real professional pride among us.

Something happened that morning and the strike had actually brought us a gift. We can now go back to our school knowing we bring with us pride, a sense of trust and dignity. At the ratification rally I felt all teachers in Los Angeles had gained this and no one can take that away from us now.

PAT TOBIAS

Los Angeles