Tuesday, July 13, 2010

"We'll strike." "I'll close!"

When I read the Northwest Herald headline this morning about the construction strike affecting schools, I was reminded of a childhood friend's father's statement.

But, first, today's headline: "D-200 nears deal to finish projects." Didn't I suggest recently that the school board meeting in emergency session? Yesterday, they did. And, I'm sure, not because I suggested it.

No special meeting of the School Board was announced on the District's website. If it was the Board that met (and the paper says it was), then the Illinois Open Meetings Act requires publication of such a meeting. Did D200 violate the Open Meetings Act? Was it an "emergency" meeting? No, no building was on fire. They had time to arrange it; they knew there was a strike; they had time to line up their position and get the attorneys lined up. It wasn't an "emergency". It was important, but not an "emergency".

What's affected? Construction at five schools: Dean Street, Olson, Clay, Verda Dierzen, Northwood, affecting 2,200 students.

Help me figure this out. The union is striking. It is striking against the employers of its members. It is not striking against D200. D200 is the customer of the companies whose employees are striking. D200 ought to be pressuring the companies with which it signed construction contracts to get that strike settled.

Who should take the hit on the higher costs that will result from a settlement? Well, I can tell you that it should not be the taxpayers!

The reporter wrote, "The district's position is neutral in regard to the strike." Oh, really? Of course, it is not neutral!

Back to my childhood. My friend's father owned a newspaper. This was back in the 1950s. When the union told him they were going to strike, he told the union that, if they did, he'd shut down the paper and sell it. If the union knew one thing about Larry, it was that he always meant what he said and that he never repeated himself.

The union didn't strike.

3 comments:

yagottabekidding said...

So you recommend the School Board threaten to shut down the schools and sell them? Brilliant.

Gus said...

No, of course not. But why is D200 in the negotiating process at all? Why isn't D200 hammering those companies, with which it contracted, to get the work completed?

Can't wait to see the details, if the McHenry County Building Trade Council signs the deal this morning. Why weren't signatories at the meeting last night?

Did D200 negotiate with underlings who could only carry a proposed deal back to decision-makers, who will then say "No" and send them back to the bargaining table?

That's a classic tactic. Kind of like making a deal with a car salesman, and then the Sales Manager squeezes for more...

Another Lawyer said...

Wimpy union!