Proposal would outlaw teacher strikes in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG -- Momentum is growing for legislation that would outlaw teacher strikes in Pennsylvania and hold contract negotiators publicly accountable for their labor proposals.

Reps. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, and Todd Rock, R-Franklin, have introduced a package of bills that could come to a vote in the fall.

Mr. Rock's legislation includes hefty financial penalties for teachers who violate the proposed no-strike law. Striking teachers would lose two days of pay for each day of an illegal strike, and those who incite the strike would be fined $5,000 under the legislation. Meanwhile, their unions would forfeit dues check-off privileges for a year.

Mr. Metcalfe's proposal goes a step further by seeking a constitutional amendment outlawing strikes. That measure requires separate votes in two legislative sessions plus a public referendum.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association opposes the legislation, saying that it would single out teachers; tip the balance in favor of school boards; increase the pay gap between educators and other professionals; and be punitive.

"Teachers don't like strikes any more than the rest of the community. Our members would always prefer to be working than on a picket line," said PSEA spokesman Wythe Keever. "Our locals exhaust all their other options before considering a strike."

Supporters of the legislation say teachers have a big advantage in negotiations because they don't lose pay when they strike. Instead -- because schools must be open 180 days a year -- they eventually collect their full salaries each year.

"There's very little downside for teachers when they strike. They still work 180 days in the end," said Rep. Don Truitt, R-Chester, who stumped for the Metcalfe-Rock legislation at a press conference today.

Said Mr. Rock: "Teacher strikes are ultimately the hammer that drives property taxes through the roof as taxpayers are left footing the bill for union-driven salary increases and lengthy arbitrations," Mr. Rock said.

Mr. Rock and others have proposed similar bills in the past. They believe there's more of an appetite for it now that Republicans control both the executive and legislative branches.

"There's a trend now, real motivation toward moving this bill," Mr. Rock said.

If it passes, Pennsylvania would be the 38th state to outlaw teacher strikes.

First published on June 7, 2011 at 12:49 pm