Pa. Bill To Outlaw Teacher Strikes Advances

By Laura Miller

The state that historically has led the nation in its number of teacher strikes is working on legislation that would outlaw them. But while the idea of banning teacher strikes in Pennsylvania has broad appeal, some there are wary of the trade-off.

Legislation passed by the Pennsylvania House early this month and now being considered in the Senate labor and industry committee would replace the right to strike with binding, "best offer" arbitration.

If a school board and teachers' union failed to agree on a settlement by the end of June of that year, three arbitrators would choose one side's offer...