Unions, reform groups gird for California-inspired lawsuit

Eliza Shapiro

In the wake of last week's Vergara v. California ruling, New York’s teachers unions and education reform groups are preparing to battle over expected legal action seeking to change the state’s tenure laws and possibly many other teacher protections.

Education reform groups like StudentsFirstNY and the New Teacher Project say a lawsuit against New York State inspired by the Vergara case could change local tenure laws and present a long-awaited opportunity to legally assess long-term sticking points with the unions, such as merit pay and seniority rules.

The Vergara ruling, which is likely to be appealed, struck down key teacher protections in California and is expected to have reverberations across the nation.

“We certainly expect that these folks will file a lawsuit,” said United Federation of Teachers president Michael Mulgrew, referring to education reform leaders with whom he is in constant conflict. “They will use it for the media.”


http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/06/8547312/unions-reform-groups-gird-california-inspired-lawsuit