This Tuesday I will be wearing red, as I have (every Tuesday) since January 4th. This is part of a growing number of movements to raise awareness for public schools. See SOS March (teacherken wrote an excellent introduction last week) and "Wear Red For Public Ed" for more information. Both of these groups are giving a voice to public education.
However, I will also be wearing red to show my displeasure for Governor Rick Snyder's plan to strip public employee unions in Michigan of vital collective bargaining rights under the guise of financial reform from Emergency Financial Managers.
There will be a vote on the Senate floor on Tuesday, March 8 -- and groups will be outside the Capitol building to tell lawmakers to oppose Senate Bills 153 through 158 and any further attacks on Michigan workers.
As it is written, the legislation would allow the manager (an EFM like Detroit's Robert Bobb) to void contracts (because of an emergency). This includes: salary, health insurance benefits, class sizes, seniority rights, and any other protections in contracts.
Let's not forget that Snyder also plans to drastically reduce funding to cities, schools, and universities; which forces them into emergency status.