Catherwood LibraryILR School

Thousands of United Federation of Teachers members and NYC parents picketed as planned yesterday to remind New York City officials, and the community at large, that they have been working without a contract for almost a year and a half now (see WIT for April 2, 2002). Billed as an "informational picket," the action also served as an indicator of parents' support for the teachers, and of possible strike action to come if the city does not take action on a fact-finding report that both sides have praised as the basis for a possible settlement (see WIT for April 12, 2002). The impact of the massive show of determination was immediately evidenced by Mayor Bloomberg's announcement yesterday that he is willing to make use of $204 million earmarked by Governor Pataki for raising teachers' salaries in NYC---reversing his earlier position that he did not want to use this one time only source of funding for recurring costs (see WIT for March 15, 2002).