So I started teaching math two months ago at the Catholic high school I graduated from in 1981. Little did I know I'd be walking into a labor dispute. Our [Lay Faculty Association] contract expired at the end of August. The Archdiocese of New York made a lousy offer (something like a 1% raise over the next 3 years, plus an increased health care cost burden for the union members). On Thursday, we held our first informational picket before school. We'll be out there again tomorrow. Hopefully, it won't come to a strike. I was kind of on the fence about the whole thing, but since the election, I figured it's time to make a stand.
The Church is made up of people who are supposedly Christians, and they treat us like crap. It's just another business, really.
This is what happened last time.
Even though it won't hurt me much personally (I'm on my fiancee's health plan - they allow domestic partners - incredibly enlightened company!), I figured that to participate is the best course of action, just in case Bush decides to outlaw union activity next year.
Doing my part to take back the country,
Rob Galgano