Teachers at Agora Cyber Charter School - the second
largest cyber in the state - have voted overwhelmingly to become unionized, a
new local affiliate of the Pennsylvania State Education Association announced
late Tuesday afternoon.
The National Labor Relations Board in Philadelphia, which
tallied the mail ballots, said that teachers at the cyber based in King of
Prussia had voted 312-46 in favor of being represented by the Agora Cyber
Education Association.
Union organizers said that the vote came after a 10-month
campaign that focused on changes to working conditions without notice and lack
of teacher involvement in decisions about curriculum, classroom objectives or
learning conditions for students.
"The teachers have demonstrated through this
election that it's time for change at Agora," said Jill Phillips, chair of
the middle school social studies department and member of the organizing
committee.
"It's time to work alongside administration and
achieve a contract that ensures everyone is on the same page and we are doing
what is best for our students," she said.
A spokeswoman for Agora did not immediately respond to a
request for comment.
Union organizers said they will hold a transition
meeting, elect officers and begin work on collective bargaining.
In early February, the Agora board had laid off scores of
teachers, citing financial problems it blamed on the lack of a state budget.
The board initially refused to say how many staffers were
let go, but in a Feb. 29 letter to parents and staff said that 136 jobs had
been eliminated for a savings of $4.5 million.
Agora enrolls 8,500 students across the state who receive
online instruction in their homes.
Teachers at Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School in Midland,
Pa., are also unionized.
Source: Philly.com
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