News Briefs
Pittsburgh teachers vote strike authorization
Nov 15, 2007 3:08 PM
Nobody calls the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers strike-happy; its members haven’t walked a picket line in 32 years. But last month they authorized their union to strike, voting 2,666 to 234. In contention are salaries, benefits, retiree health care and the length of the school day.
The union represents some 3,500 employees in three bargaining units — about 2,800 teachers and other professionals, about 600 classroom aides and about 60 technical-clerical workers.
The last contract expired June 30, and no talks were held from Oct. 11 until Nov. 2, just days after the strike authorization was announced. Top pay is $73,500 for a teacher with a master’s degree and 10 years’ experience. The average pay for a teacher with a master’s degree is $62,000. Starting salary averages $37,000.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 30, Nov. 2
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Nov. 2
