Oklahoma teachers get a little revenge

Of all the states to undergo a teachers strike this year, Oklahoma gave the teachers the least amount of concessions and the most disrespect.
Not surprisingly, the teachers didn't forgive or forget.

Just 11 days after Oklahoma educators stormed the state’s Capitol building in early April to demand higher wages and more funding, more than 100 teachers declared their intentions to run for legislative office.
“There was a lot of frustration with how [the walkout] ended,” said Alberto Morejon, an 8th-grade teacher in Stillwater Oklahoma and the web administrator for the now-famous group that helped organize the march on the Capitol. “A lot of teachers just came together and agreed that since the walkout didn't turn out the way we wanted, the next step is that we’re going to remember when it comes time to vote.”

The real test will be in the November general election, but a lot of pissed off teachers were also Republicans, and they got a measure of revenge yesterday.

“Our voices were heard tonight,” said Sherrie Conley, an assistant principal at an Oklahoma City elementary school who ended up in a Republican runoff with incumbent Rep. Bobby Cleveland.

Of the 10 “no” voters in the House who were running for re-election, two were defeated outright on Tuesday — Reps. Chuck Strohm of Jenks and Scott McEachin of Tulsa. Seven others ended up in an Aug. 28 primary runoff against fellow Republicans.

Four other Republican incumbents also were defeated on Tuesday, including one who lost to a seventh-grade English teacher from Elgin.

In another contest, a Republican state representative who posted a Facebook video in April chastising teachers for walking out led by just three votes over a GOP challenger who suspended his campaign a month ago so he could take a new job as a sheriff’s deputy.

That should give the Oklahoma teachers some satisfaction, with more chances at revenge later this year.
One other development happened last week.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court says an initiative petition that would overturn a package of tax hikes for funding teacher pay raises and public schools is invalid.

Oklahoma's highest court handed down the ruling Friday and ordered that the initiative petition not appear on an election ballot.

An anti-tax group led by former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn had launched a referendum petition seeking a vote to repeal tax hikes on cigarettes, fuel and energy production approved by the Legislature earlier this year. Money from the taxes would fund an average $6,100 teacher pay increase.

But the court says the wording of the petition is misleading and those who sign it don't know what they would vote on.

They wanted to take back what little the teachers won, and were prepared to lie to do it. Not this time!

Share
up
0 users have voted.

Comments

The Aspie Corner's picture

sycophants will never be satisfied. Even when there's nothing left to turn into a commodity to be gambled on in the Wall Street Casino, they'll still find a way to try and make a profit.

up
0 users have voted.

Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.

Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.

divineorder's picture

@The Aspie Corner

up
0 users have voted.

A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

The Aspie Corner's picture

@divineorder Otherwise, they'll go nowhere very quickly.

up
0 users have voted.

Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.

Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.

How dare they don't grovel!

A bill aiming to prevent public school teachers from striking heads to a Senate committee Monday.

The bill was introduced by two El Paso County lawmakers earlier in the month, as teacher call-outs were picking up steam. Teachers across the state have been using sick days and unpaid leave to call out of school and rally for better pay, retirement benefits and increased funding for education. A formal strike is looming in Pueblo District 60.

If the lawmakers behind the bill get their way, striking teachers could face termination, a $500 per day fine, or even up to six months of jail time.

up
0 users have voted.

@gjohnsit we will hang you teachers to prove democracy works for us. Don't even think about getting in between us and our gravy train. You will pay for your insubordination.

up
0 users have voted.
divineorder's picture

@gjohnsit

up
0 users have voted.

A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

Hawkfish's picture

@gjohnsit

There was some comment here a few weeks back about how TPTB have forgotten that Labour laws were originally enacted to protect both sides. Removing the right to strike doesn’t prevent strikes - it just lets things get so bad that eventually massive self-organizing wildcat strikes are called by the rank and file for self-preservation.

up
0 users have voted.

We can’t save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.
- Greta Thunberg

Lookout's picture

...to better conditions, pay, and retirement for all.

Hey, I can hope can't I?

Seriously, I am proud of my colleagues. (including Alexandria).

up
0 users have voted.

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”