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WESTLAND, Mich. - Students in the Wayne-Westland Schools were denied instruction and had to be sent home Monday morning after members of the teachers union failed to report to work, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The Free Press reported that the Wayne-Westland Education Association announced late Sunday that the teachers union expected an ongoing contract dispute to lead to the cancellation of classes and advised parents to arrange child care. The union did not inform school administrators directly.
Teacher strikes in Michigan are illegal.
"We'll take it one day at a time," Superintendent Greg Barcay told the Free Press. Several hundred students arrived at district high schools at 7:15 a.m. but were bused home.
Union President Nancy Strachan was expected to make a public statement today. The contract dispute has focused on health insurance and class size, the Free Press reported.
SOURCES:
The Detroit Free Press, "Teacher strikes forces Wayne-Westland closure," Oct. 6, 2008
The Detroit Free Press, "Wayne-Westland classes likely canceled today amid contract impasse," Oct. 5, 2008
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Wayne-Westland teachers vote to take job action," Sept. 2, 2008
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