SB18-264 — AKA the Prohibit Public School Teacher Strikes Bill — was introduced by Colorado Senator Bob Gardner [R-12/303-866-4880/@senbobgardner] and Representative Paul Lundeen [R-19/303-866-2924/@paul_lundeen]; it allows school districts to seek court injunctions banning public school teachers from striking, so that they can be held in contempt should they withdraw their labor, and be imprisoned for contempt.
The bill also requires school districts to instantly fire any teacher found in contempt of court, regardless of qualification, seniority, or other factors.
It also bans any public monies being paid to striking workers.
Colorado teachers across the state are planning walkouts on April 27. The average Colorado teacher spends $656 out of their own pocket for supplies in their underfunded classrooms. Colorado ranks 46th in the nation on teacher pay. The annual education funding shortfall in Colorado exceeds $800m/year.
The bill, SB18-264, would prohibit public school teacher strikes by authorizing school districts to seek an injunction from district court. A failure to comply with the injunction would “constitute contempt of court” and teachers could face not only fines but up to six months in county jail, the bill language reads.The bill also directs school districts to fire teachers on the spot without a proper hearing if they’re found in contempt of court and also bans public school teachers from getting paid “for any day which the public school teacher participates in a strike.”
The bill, which was introduced this past Friday, is sponsored by State Rep. Paul Lundeen and Sen. Bob Gardner, both Republicans.
SB18-264 [Colorado Legislature]
Colorado Senate bill seeks to punish teachers with jail time should they go on strike [Oscar Contreras/The Denver Channel]
(Image: William Warby, CC-BY)