Smashing Apples: Shock Doctrine for Public Education

…That’s What It’s All About by Kevin Mahoney in Raging Chicken Press, densely packed with information and links, briefly excerpted below. This series promises to live up to the Raging Chicken Press tagline, "if you're not angry, you're not paying attention." Don't shortchange yourself or your understanding of current issues in higher ed. If SEIU 500 (Coalition of Academic Labor)'s successes show what can be done and Green River CC vs GRAFA raises serious questions about intra-union conflict and abuses of power, then Smashing Apples (love the name) draws the line in the sand...Raging Chicken editor and writer, Kevin Mahoney notes, 

Editor’s Note: This article inaugurates a new Raging Chicken Press series by the same name: Smashing Apples. This series will focus on the ongoing attacks against public education from kindergarten through higher education both in the Pennsylvania region and across the country

... and then posits...

Pennsylvania as Ground Zero in War Against Public Education?

A Message from the NJ State AFL-CIO

…via colleagues Robin Brownfield & New Faculty Majority board member Bill Lipkin 

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO Mourns the Passing of Nick Yovnello

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the tragic loss of Brother Nick Yovnello, who passed away in a car accident Saturday afternoon. Nick served as that President of the Council of New Jersey State College Locals and was a dedicated union leader for over 40 years.

Why Collective Bargaining Rights Are Important

Collective bargaining rights and organizing have been *in the news more this year than usual, marking successes, failures, challenges but also, to be hoped, renewed interest and public support. Time to revisit basics, whether introduction or refresher. Addenda welcome: alternatives; questions; comments; alternate views. 

What is collective bargaining and why is it so important? Or better yet, why should you care? This question has come up frequently over the past year due to all the press surrounding recent actions by politicians who have passed or attempted to pass legislation to strip collective bargaining rights from public sector employees. What has been missing from the discussion is an actual explanation and understanding of the concept of collective bargaining.

So let’s start with the basics.