Abreu Calls for Investigation into Mass Firing at Charter High School for Law and Social Justice
73% of faculty fired on June 20th at Bronx charter school in alleged union-busting tactic
BRONX, N.Y. – In response to the news of the firing of 11 of 15 teachers at the Bronx Charter High School for Law and Social Justice, Randy Abreu, the Democratic candidate for City Council District 14 has called for an investigation into the rationale behind the mass firing.
The pattern of firing teachers attempting to organize and join a union by charter schools is all too apparent. The message has been made clear: try to organize, and lose your job. These union-busting tactics not only put our children’s education at risk, but also the livelihood of our community’s hard working educators.
“I find it absolutely deplorable that CHSLSJ made the conscious decision to fire 73% of its teachers, most of who were on a negotiating committee, while in the midst of negotiating a union contract with management,” said Abreu. “These union-busting tactics affect our children, and the hardworking members of our community who educate them. The United Federation of Teachers is a union that fights for the rights of its members – from better wages, to workplace protections, and it is disgraceful that this avenue was taken in the midst of bargaining.”
“All voices – parents, students, staff and administration – must be heard. CHSLSJ denies voice. Worse than that – they fired three quarters of their teachers – precisely for trying to discuss conditions in the school.” said Jonathan Halabi, a High School Mathematics Teacher, and Bronx Member of The United Federation of Teachers Executive Board. “Public schools are a pillar of our Country and we cannot allow this baseless injustice. We must organize the unorganized, and stand stronger in the face of injustice, and bring pressure to bear on this charter school.”
Abreu’s criticism in response to the June 20th mass firing of 11 of 15 teachers by the Bronx Charter School while in the midst of union contract negotiations, comes at a time when the city is facing serious debate and issue surrounding charter school co-location, a racially and ethnically-segregated student population and an impending teacher shortage.
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