Oregon Union Sues District for Limiting Dancing, Heckling Subs on School Property During Strike

Townhall.com ^ | October 21, 2012 | Kyle Olson

[Kaslin]

The Eagle Point Education Association has filed suit against the district’s school board, claiming the board chilled its “free speech” rights because it banned picketing on school property during a May teachers strike.

The school board also angered the union by passed a resolution limiting signs and banners on school property and prohibiting teachers from using school email accounts.

The union believes it can do anything it pleases – including walking out on students – and not face consequences. Yet union officials were angered when the school board decided to draw the line during the teachers strike by not allowing the union to further disrupt the school environment with picketing. That was particularly important because classes were in session using substitute teachers.

The Mail Tribune reported, “[Oregon Education Association consultant Daniel] Burdis said the point of the lawsuit is for the district to realize its limitations on free speech were illegal, and to ensure that similar incidents won't happen in the future.”

So in other words, the union wants to establish a right to create havoc on school property the next time it goes on strike. It doesn’t believe the school board, which manages the property on behalf of taxpayers, should have control over what happens on campus.

The issue boils down to who controls school property: taxpayers or unionized employees.

But check out this video of strikers dancing and heckling substitute teachers:

Would you as a school administrator want that type of nonsense happening on campus?

[SeaHawkFan]

Life in Eagle Point must be pretty boring if they are making a big deal about this demonstration.

[fremont_steve]

To be honest - I don’t see this as any different than any other Union protest I’ve ever seen. I think the district would be within it’s rights to with-hold access to the property & emails (really same thing!) while they are striking.

So - what I’ve seen teachers do is stand on the sidewalk and obstruct kids getting to school just by the traffic jam they create by the seen they make. They weren’t on the property.

I think the Union (gee big surprise) is full of horse manure.

[ConservativeInPA]

If the school board had any testicular fortitude they would allow the teachers to use school email. Then they should monitor and use emails against individual thug union teachers to destroy their personal reputations and expose the hypocrisy of, "it's for the kids."

For the record, I do not like unions, particularly teacher unions. If you belong to one, then you are part of the problem.

[Navy Patriot]

If the school board had any testicular fortitude they would allow the teachers to use school email. Then they should monitor and use emails against individual thug union teachers to destroy their personal reputations and expose the hypocrisy of, "it's for the kids."

I like the way you think.

[Dixie Yooper]

Some example the union members are setting for the anti-bullying campaign they started with the kids before they went on strike.