Detroit Teachers Strike, Stalling Reform Effort

One day before the start of classes, Detroit’s teachers Monday refused a contract extension and called a strike, despite a state law barring them from walking out.

The strike vote was a setback for a bold attempt to reform the school system and improve Detroit’s struggling schools.

The talks are the first contract negotiations with the teachers since Detroit’s elective school board was replaced earlier this year with one appointed by Mayor Dennis Archer.

“I would have to say the rejection today does reflect an unwillingness by some teachers to engage themselves in significant change,” said David Adamany, the interim chief executive of the 172,000-student district.

The previous contract between the Detroit Federation of Teachers and the school system expired June 30, and an extension ran out on Monday. Talks are scheduled to resume today.

School and union negotiators had agreed early Monday on an additional 10-day extension while talks continued. However, thousands of teachers took a vote later in the day, rejected the extension and called the strike.

Adamany said classes would not be held until officials know that enough teachers will report for work.

The union has not walked out since 1992. Under a 1994 Michigan law, public school employees who strike lose a day’s pay and are fined a day’s pay. The law has never been tested.

Union president John Elliot said he was disappointed with the vote, and said he had recommended the 10-day extension.

Adamany said the school district would not seek a court injunction to force teachers back to work.

The issues still unresolved included salary increases, merit pay, extended work days and a dress code. Teachers said merit pay was the most contentious. Many prefer to keep the old standards, based on experience, seniority and education.

“I don’t understand merit pay. I think it needs a lot of explanation,” said Jennifer Poole, 52, a school social worker with more than 12 years’ experience.

The appointed school board followed decades of declining performance and alleged mismanagement and pork-barrel politics in Detroit schools.