SEATTLE, WA, Sept. 3 — Approximately 1,800 Seattle teachers, paraprofessionals, and office staff recently voted on a new union contract. This could be the most important contract vote we've cast in 20 years.
Seattle, like many districts, sits smack dab in the middle of a capitalist hurricane called "educational reform." The bosses are in crisis. Their economy is in turmoil. War is a constant. The infrastructure is failing. And the old rules don't work anymore.
So, they must rewrite the rule book to keep the working class under control. Public education is a very important tool, used to train each generation of children to serve the interests of the ruling class. Most will become workers, some professionals, some soldiers, technicians, etc. Some will never be fully employed.
Teachers, and other educators, are expected to teach the basics, plus juggle many other subjects; evaluate, test, inspire, nurture, etc. often in overcrowded classrooms with few supplies, broken down, outdated technology all with little help. Add to this tons of paperwork, and increasing pressure to take more classes and not only be proficient but innovative in order to keep our jobs.
Despite many promises and lies, this contract did very little to change this situation. The initial proposal was so obviously unacceptable that the negotiating committee recommended we reject it, and we did. This gave them the long Labor Day weekend to return to the bargaining table, only this time with a mediator.
A few things were changed around, some shifted to take place in the second year, a few dollars were thrown in to sweeten the deal. But basically it was the same sellout accompanied by a hearty recommendation to accept.
The meeting to vote was on the evening before the first day of school, downtown, during rush hour. People had been in 2 or 3 days of meetings, training sessions, and setting up, or moving their classrooms. They were pissed off and tired. However, many of the folks coming in gladly took our Red Flags and our leaflets. They must have been inspired by the militant teachers' strike in Mexico. The questions and debate from the floor was more intense and at a higher level than usual.
Many people in the meeting were avidly reading Red Flag and even showing it to their friends. But, of course, the union president and his staff systematically cut off people who asked questions he didn't want to answer. They ignored people they knew to be activists, and called on their loyal kiss-ups. They cut off debate and moved to a voice vote when they felt the crowd was about to start yelling at them. No secret ballots. It passed, but the vote was close. It wasn't a big victory for them.
We felt that it was a victory for us. Not only did we get out a lot of literature, but it was not just the usual "trade unionist" or "vote for the socialist candidate" stuff that people were used to getting. People are interested in our discussion on what education will look like under communism. We made some new friends, and re-established relations with some old ones. We hope to have these people at our next "Pizza and Politics." This is what we have to do. The times are ripe for open discussions on communism, because many people agree that we cannot live in the old way. Hey, didn't Lenin say something like that?

Mexico Teachers:

Fight to End the Wage System!

On Friday, September 13, the teachers of the Education Workers' Coordinating Committe, (CNTE) union were evicted from the main Zócalo Square in Mexico City. Even though it was reported that the leaders had accepted withdrawing from the encampment to the Monument to the Revolution, a large contingent refused to do so and faced the federal police.
The rulers are determined to end the teachers' resistance. However, the discontent throughout the country is increasing. Today's newspapers report that in at least 12 states, there were protests last weekend, and a National Popular Teachers' Congress was announced.
On Sunday, Sept. 15, we visited the teachers' encampment at the Monument to the Revolution. We brought some clothes that a fellow teacher donated to us and took some copies of Red Flag. The teachers greeted us enthusiastically as they do with hundreds of people who have shown solidarity with them.
On Friday, Sept. 13, the day of the eviction, the students from the National School of Anthropology and History , blocked the freeway that passes in front of their school and circles the city. They were attacked with tear gas dropped from a helicopter. The Xochimilco and Azcapozalco sections of the Autonomous Metropolitan University also blocked the surrounding streets in support of the teachers. Insurgentes Avenue was closed in front of the University City, also by students— from the National University . A nation-wide student coordinating body is now being structured to join with the National Popular Teachers' Congress.
The idea of ending the wage system has not yet reached the consciousness of the masses. However, it is the only solution to capitalism, not the nationalist state capitalism that only leads to substitute one exploiter for another.
We invite the teachers to read, distribute and write for Red Flag. It is vital to organize with the view of ending capitalism. Join ICWP!

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