The Public Good cannot be trampled upon by organized labor. It has been a stated principle of many municipal governments. It is why it is illegal for police officers, firefighters, and others who provide essential services to leave their jobs and go out on strike.
In Boston, it is not only illegal for teachers to go on strike, but it is even illegal for them to propose going on strike.
Nevertheless, teachers there are preparing to go on strike which would disrupt the education of 57,000 students; unintimidated, the superintendent of schools has warned them of the illegality of their intended actions.
In addition the state Labor Relations Commission has reiterated to the union that not only are strikes by public employees illegal in Massachusetts, but it is even illegal for teachers to meet to vote about a strike.
The Labor Relations Commission has ordered the 8,000 members of the Boston Teachers Union to “cease and desist from inducing, encouraging, or condoning any strike, work stoppage, or other withholding of services.” The Commission further ordered the Board to eliminate a provision from its bylaws that authorizes its members to vote for strikes.
When unions flex their muscles and use the power invested in them by their members to inflict harm on the public, they must be held accountable. The Labor Relations Commission of Massachusetts is setting an example for all cities and states across the country!
