November 25, 2008 Teachers at Boston charter school choose to unionize Play video

(Brad Puffer, NECN: Boston, MA) - The Conservatory Lab in Boston's Brighton neighborhood is one of more than 60 charter schools in Massachusetts. Independent public schools with their own Board of Trustees. But this year, this music focused school, became the first to have its teachers join a union. Previously all charter schools have operated without unions and union work rules.

"They were totally shocked they were totally taken off guard by this, the Trustees I have spoken with"

Kevin Andrews is head of the Massachusetts Charter School Association. He has also taught in the public schools and been the president of a union.

"This is a Boston teachers union contract look how thick it is you need a PhD to get through it this isn't about education reform it's about stifling schools."

Andrews argues that charter schools are special because of their ability to do whatever is needed for their students. That includes flexibility, innovation and reform. And he insists unions have long stood in the way of Charter Schools.

"How can you be antagonistic, non-supportive and against charter schools and then want to unionize them?"

Because they are entering into contract negotiations, no one from the Conservatory Lab would speak on camera. The school's board of trustees in a written statement said, "We are concerned about the ability of the... Union to support the programmatic flexibility that is critical to the success of our charter school

Tom Gosnell is president of the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers. He says the union formed during a period of high turnover among the Conservatory Lab's 21 teachers.

"They thought that by having a collective voice that this would create more stability within the school."

Gosnell insists his union has supported reform efforts like expanded learning time but says teachers should have a seat at the table when deciding what is best for students.

"I would say its very important that reform be done with teachers not to teachers. Teachers know best what is really needed in the classroom.'

"Last year Massachusetts legislators passed the Majority Authorization bill making it much easier for public sector employees to form a union. Instead of multi-step process that often took months - now just a majority of workers need to sign a card of intent."

"Folks should have the ability to unionize if they see fit"

Representative Robert DeLeo was a co-sponsor of that legislation. Since the law changed, 30 public sector groups have now petitioned to form a union - including the Conservatory Lab School.

"We have a whole lot of great teachers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts whether unionized or non-unionized so right now I see it as a bit premature to say it would be the downfall of charter schools as we know them."

In June 2005, The Massachusetts Federation of Teachers sent a letter to charter schools asking them to join the union. Their first efforts were thwarted because they say the process took too long. Only after the law changed did they get their first union at a charter school..

"Do you think more charter school will now think about unionizing?" "That would be nice".

That is exactly what the leaders of these charter schools fear could happen. Still, Kevin Andrews says charter schools will keep their focus on the children.

"This is not going to stop the charter school movement in any way."

As for the Conservatory Lab - it now has a new nationally recognized principal. A leader who along with the Board of Trustees will soon begin negotiating with the teacher's union over a contract. No one knows what change that contract might bring.