what to say when they ask about the button

(Click the timestamp to read the whole thing.)

One of the joys of wearing a cryptic message on a button is responding to the inevitable "What IS that?" Everyone is interested: students, friends, passersby, Top Foods courtesy clerks. If you're gonna wear it, you gotta be ready, as David points out, to answer the question.

At this point you might raise an objection. "I don't like to evangelize, especially in the classroom--it's not my job to preach." Or, "I always fumble for words when I'm put on the spot." Or, "If I talk about the button, it spoils the air of mystery I've worked so hard to maintain."

First, taking two minutes of class time to discuss your membership in a union isn't preaching, it's teaching. Students need to know what a union is and how it works--after all, it's likely that at some point they'll be in one. You crave teachable moments, don't you? Second, you can borrow heavily from David's or my responses, as long as you practice them so they don't sound canned. No zero for plagiarizing this assignment. Finally, that air of mystery was spoiled last week when a chunk of lettuce hitched a ride on your incisors.

Now that you're convinced, here's what some potential conversations might look like....

Friend: What IS that?

You: It's a date. May 17.

Friend: Yeah, okay, I figured that out. But it's come and gone already. What happened on 5/17?

You: Remember the teacher's union I'm in? Well, on May 17 we voted unanimously to reject the district's latest contract offer. You see, we've worked out agreements on every issue but one: compensation. The district wanted us to give us a sort-of-raise--14 more hours of pay for 14 more hours of training. We came back with a compromise--six extra hours of training-for-pay, and nine hours of compensation for the extra work we already do.

Friend: Why are you still wearing the button, then?

You: To show support for my colleagues. Our bargaining team and the district will go into mediation. When an offer comes out of that, we'll meet again and vote on what to do.

Friend: Cool. Hey--that chunk of lettuce is still there.

You: D'oh!




Student: Can I have the hall pass?

You: May I--

Student: Why are you still wearing your 5/17 button?

You: I'll explain to the whole class near the end of the period. Be on your way.

[twenty minutes later]

You: A lot of you are wondering why I'm still wearing the 5/17 button. As I explained before, on May 17 we had our general assembly meeting to discuss the district's latest contract offer. If you remember, our contract spells out our rights, responsibilities, compensation, and benefits, among other things. Well, we've worked out agreements on every issue but one: compensation. [drawing on the board] The district wanted us to give us 14 more hours of pay for 14 more hours of training, or "staff development." We wanted a raise--extra pay for the work we already do. We came back with a compromise--six extra hours of training-for-pay, and nine hours of "optional" time--pay for grading papers after school, planning lessons at home, work done on our own time. The district refused our offer, so we voted unanimously to reject theirs.

Student: Does that mean you're going on strike? [animated conversations]

You: No, no... A strike is a last resort. Now the district will call a third party--called a mediator--to come in, [drawing on the board] study the situation, and recommend a course of action. If it's a reasonable solution, we can choose to accept it. I'll keep you posted. [bell rings] Have a great weekend!

Not so difficult, is it? Now, go forth and wear your button with confidence and zest. And don't forget to check your teeth after lunch.