Following weeks of unsuccessful contract negotiations with Wichita Public Schools, the local teachers union is asking teachers to work only their contracted hours this coming Monday.
United Teachers of Wichita wants to “illustrate that if teachers only did what was absolutely required, schools would fold.” The union has called for teachers to arrive 10 minutes before school starts, take a 40-minute duty-free break for lunch, and leave 10 minutes after the day ends.
"This isn’t about money…it IS about being treated like a professional," UTW said in a Facebook post.
The group went on to say that the current pace of work asked of is not sustainable.
"All we are asking is to for one day, eat breakfast with your family…lunch with a colleague, and go home in time to spend a real evening with your loved ones," the post reads. "For ONE day…you have a life. Go for a walk in the evening. Read a book to your kids. Breathe."
Members of Wichita's Board of Education released its own statement praising Wichita teachers as a dedicated group of employees, "many [of whom] often go above and beyond the contract day for the benefit of our students."
The board also added that “if teachers want to work within their contract, it is their right to do so."
Contract negotiations between the school district and the union hit an impasse last week when a mediation session ended without agreement on a contract for the current school year. As a result, teachers are working under the terms of last year's contract.
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