Strongsville Teachers are 'Being Duped' By their Union, Parent Group Says

An anti-strike group called Strongsville Community Action Committee claimed Thursday that the Strongsville teachers' union is following a national negotiating strategy that seeks to deceive its own members.

Group organizer Erica Goe said at a press conference that striking Strongsville teachers need to realize they are "still being duped" by the Strongsville Education Association.

Her message was aimed at encouraging teachers to cross the picket line and return to the classroom.

She said that 61 striking teachers have contacted her because they want to go back to work but are afraid of repercussions from their colleagues.

Goe said her group, which created the website StrikeFacts.com, has uncovered a confidential document called "NEA strategy directives to field representatives for difficult negotiations" that the SEA seems to be following.

"This guide appears to be the blueprint the SEA is using for this strike," she said.

However, Sara Robertson, senior media strategist for the National Education Association, said the NEA did not write the document and does not use its strategies.

"I can confirm that document was definitely not authored by NEA. More importantly, the language in that memo is not something we would urge any of our members to use," Robertson said in an email. "While NEA has not been directly involved in the Strongsville strike, we do stand in solidarity with our members."

The  Document

According to the eight-page paper, which the SCAC says it found on the Internet, the first strategy is "Mislead own membership." Why? "To begin the process of dissatisfaction."

Step two: "Continue to mislead. Update the reports regarding the bargaining process, but only mention the board's proposals that, with editorial descriptions, will keep feelings high (or low)." 

Later: "Misdirection. Cloud the real bargaining issues. State that teachers are concerned about poor working conditions, poor educational programs . . . anything except money and benefits." Why? "To get the Board to offer more money and benefits in order to avoid bad publicity."

It goes on to suggest getting teachers to call board members to "make the Board member think he/she is the salvation of the corporation" and to charge the board with an unfair labor practice even it if will be thrown out because it "gives you something to drop in return for something else."

It also suggests calling for around-the-clock bargaining to "show the public you are willing to work hard and long for a settlement" and to have supporters, including small children, march with picketers during school hours.

Under "Lambs to Slaughter," the guide says the union should get all the Board members to the table, then try to "turn them against one another."

Goe said teachers should ask themselves "Is this what I was told would happen when I voted to strike?"

She urged them to cross.

"What are you waiting for, teachers? You may have been building up the courage to do it, but now is the time," she said.

Goe Under Attack

The SEA issued a harsh statement on Thursday, attacking Goe's credibility based on past arrests for drunken driving, disorderly conduct and driving under suspension.

The SEA contends Goe is lying about being in contact with 61 teachers who want to cross the picket line, calling the claim "utterly preposterous."

"It defies logic that teachers would seek out someone with a long criminal record for advice on anything, much less their careers," the statement says.

The SEA provided court records that indicate Goe was convicted of drunken driving offenses that took place in 2008 in Elyria and 2010 in Strongsville. There was also a disorderly conduct charge in 2002 and a driving under suspension offense in 2001.

Goe said Thursday afternoon that the SEA's attack on her "doesn't diminish the fact that I have 61 teachers who have contacted me and want to cross."

"They can attack all they want," she said. "It doesn't change the fact that I'm a parent in the community and I put out the truth."

Support from Parents

About 40 parents and residents, as well as some substitute teachers now working in Strongsville schools, attended the press conference.

Bill Glacken, a parent, spoke to the media first, saying he was "fed up with certain tactics" the SEA is using -- like publicizing Goe's arrest history.

"True or not, this is just another tactic to detract from the message she's bringing," Glacken said.

Other parents said they were there because they want some of the teachers back.

"There are some teachers we'd love to see back," parent Jeff Marcum said. "The ones who cross -- we would accept them back."

Those who don't stand up and cross are "guilty by association," parent Tom Detullio said.

Shawn Cormier-Warren added that some teachers have not lived up to the higher standards educators should maintain, or "even the standards of human decency."

"There are some teachers who don't deserve the honor of teaching our children any more," she said.

Recent Stories:

More Students Leave Strongsville Schools; Only a Handful Opt Out of Test

Teachers Union Seeking Donations for Health Insurance

Teachers Strike Starts Week 8 with Flurry of Accusations

Teachers Union Blasts School Board for Not Accepting One-Time Offer 

Rowdy Crowd Addresses Strongsville School Board

Teachers Union Won't Vote on School Board's Offer

School Board Makes New Offer to Teachers; Union Counters

City Council Supports Students; Teachers Union Condemns School Board

Strongsville Teachers Cross Picket Line

Protests Continue at School Board Members' Homes

For other stories on the teachers' strike, click here.

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