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Teacher goes on hunger strike
Teacher goes on hunger strike
Alex Brower
MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee teachers' union member on Thursday, May 10 marked one week into a hunger strike to win health care for substitute teachers of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS).
Alex Brower, Milwaukee Teachers Education Association (MTEA) substitute teacher president says he plans on continuing his hunger strike until health care for full-time substitute teachers is amended in the proposed MPS budget. Brower said he is only drinking water and tea.
"MPS substitute teachers need your help," Brower said. "It's been very difficult to maintain this, but what's even more difficult is those that work every day in this district and don't have a quality health care plan."
MPS substitute teachers lost health care with the passage of Act 10 in the Legislature. The union estimates health care costs for the 200 substitutes working 30 hours or more would total $3 million.
"What we're advocating for is for it to be cut from administrative positions," Brower said.
The MTEA has asked members to pledge to do what it takes to fight for the budget they want. Health care for full-time educators was not impacted. However, the current proposal would cut 125 teaching positions and spend millions less in supplies.
The teachers' union has denied rumors they've planned a "sick-out" for next week.
The school district responded to the rumor late Wednesday:
"I think a lot of teachers in this district are ready to do what it takes," Brower said.
The MTEA is asking that the public call the school board director -- and ask that health care for substitutes is amended in the budget by the end of the month. The next budget-related meeting is scheduled for next month.