WHICH ARE THE "STRIKE POTENTIAL" DISTRICTS (check back for updates)
Teacher strikes occur after a union contract has expired. Pennsylvania state law allows the teachers' labor union to give only 48 hours strike notice to a community. The length of any strike is dictated by the need to complete 180 academic days by June 15 or June 30. Strikes taken in the fall have potential to last much longer than strikes taken in the spring. Strikes can occur year after year until such time as settlement occurs.
Unlike private sector union workers who lose money when striking, Pennsylvania's teachers essentially have a "strike for free" proposition because they get to still teach the 180 academic days. Therefore they still end up making close to 100% of pay for the year. The worst that happens is that teachers might lose a few days pay by forfeiting non teaching days (although the length of the strike and this potential loss is at their discretion). The immediate financial impact of a strike is endured by families whose hardship is used by the union to gain leverage in a negotiation.
These 3 school districts are at immediate risk of a strike because they are operating under contracts that expired in 2008.
These 40 school districts are at immediate risk of a strike because they are operating under contracts that expired in 2009.
These 144 school districts have contracts that expire in 2010 which have not been settled.
