Protect Teachers! Support Binding Arbitration

Classroom teachers are one of the most unfairly maligned groups of workers in Rhode Island. Teachers and their unions have struggled for years to be treated like professionals and through collective action have made sure that students and education are the priorities for the communities where they work. The Rhode Island General Assembly is hearing a bill this week that would protect the right to collectively bargain for classroom teachers by establishing what is called “Binding Arbitration.” Binding Arbitration would give classroom teachers the same rights as police officers, fire fighters, and correctional officers to have contract disputes heard by a neutral 3rd party arbitrator. Unlike current law, binding arbitration would make financial decisions binding on the both sides.

The Rhode Island General Assembly needs to change the status quo. Passing binding arbitration works for students, teachers, administrators, and taxpayers.

Take action today and send a message to your representative and the Leadership of the House of Representatives.

Tell me more

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I write today asking for your support to establish a process of binding arbitration to end contract disputes for classroom teachers in Rhode Island.  Unlike police officers, fire fighters, and correctional officers, current law does not provide a conclusion to the collective bargaining process for teachers. By passing binding arbitration we can fix that problem and change a status quo that doesn't work for students, teachers, administrators, or taxpayers.

Our neighboring state of Connecticut passed a binding arbitration law that works for all stakeholders.  In Connecticut arbitration is rarely used because the law encourages both sides to negotiate a fair contract.  When cases do proceed to arbitration, awards are evenly split with approximately 52% of the awards favoring school committees and 48% favoring teacher negotiating teams.   All relevant laws, including property tax caps, must be taken into account by neutral arbitrators.  It is a system that works.

Classroom teachers are important parts of every community in Rhode Island.  By supporting binding arbitration teachers can fully focus on teaching and learning instead of contract deadlines.  This is why 70% of Rhode Islanders in a recent poll support binding arbitration for classroom teachers.  Please vote in favor of binding arbitration for classroom teachers.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Take Action on this Issue

Send this message to: House Leadership and your Representative

Representative Gordon Fox (if you live in Rhode Island)
Representative William Murphy (if you live in Rhode Island)
Your Representative (if you live in Rhode Island)

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