Tuesday, May 12, 2009

RESTRAINING ORDER HALTS TEACHER’S STRIKE + UTLA RESPONSE

Judge halts teachers' strike

12:47 PM | May 12, 2009 | LA Times blog

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has granted a restraining order prohibiting the city's teachers union from staging a one-day strike Friday.

L.A. schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines said he was "elated" regarding the decision by Judge James C. Chalfant, which was issued moments ago.

"I’m hoping that this will provide the opportunity for the bargaining unit and the school district to sit down and try to work out some of the issues," said Cortines, "and to deal with the economic situation we find ourselves in, which is not going away this year, next year or the year beyond."

In its pleadings, the Los Angeles Unified School District cited student safety concerns as well as disruptions to state and advance placement testing.

United Teachers Los Angeles scheduled the strike to protest looming teacher layoffs that would disrupt faculties and lead to larger classes.

-- Howard Blume

smf: “In its pleadings, the Los Angeles Unified School District cited student safety concerns as well as disruptions to state and advance placement testing.”     HOWEVER in its conclusion the the court ruled more narrowly, calling the one day work action a ‘breach of contact’.  This narrow finding leaves the door far more open for appeal than a finding of imperiled student safety. Say tuned.

UTLA Response:

UTLA weighs next steps in light of court decision

After a lengthy court hearing this morning, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that he would issue a temporary restraining order against UTLA’s one‐day strike on May 15. A final order has not yet been signed by the judge.

UTLA’s Board of Directors and legal counsel are meeting tonight to discuss the court’s decision and to consider our response. We will carefully review the court order when it becomes available.

“It is unfortunate that the courts ruled against our members’ democratic right to protest class‐size increases and layoffs and to stand up for students,” says UTLA President A.J. Duffy. “UTLA is also dismayed that LAUSD officials chose to fight our one‐day strike instead of using the stimulus money to save jobs, stop the staffing chaos at schools, and keep class sizes at current levels.”

 

Judge forbids LA teachers from staging walkout

The Associated Press – May 12|3:10PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has forbidden Los Angeles teachers from staging a one-day walkout Friday to protest planned layoffs and class-size increases. ...

Judge halts teachers' strike

Los Angeles Times – May 12|1 PM

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has granted a restraining order prohibiting the city's teachers union from staging a one-day strike Friday. ...

LAUSD Walk-out Thwarted by Judge

MyFox Los Angeles – May 12|1 PM

by Judge Los Angeles (myFOXla.com) - A plan by unionized Los Angeles Unified School District teachers to stage a one-day walkout in protest of anticipated ...

LAUSD wins court order to halt teacher walkout

Daily Breeze – May 12|2:20 PM

By Connie Llanos, Staff Writer A Los Angeles judge granted a restraining order today forbidding members of the LAUSD teachers' union from staging a one-day ...

Judge Issues Order Barring One-Day Teacher Walkout

CBS 2 - May 12|1PM

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