Juneau -- Rep. Vic Kohring (R-Wasilla/Peters Creek) has filed legislation requiring that a school district be given three days notice by a striking union. The Anchorage School District requested that Kohring file the bill.

House Bill 224 was filed in response to the recent strike against the ASD, forcing the shutdown of schools. "It was unfair for the union to strike at the Eleven O'Clock Hour, because it didn't give parents and students a chance to react," said Kohring. "Children were turned away at the door the next morning, because they had no idea schools were suddenly shut down a few hours before. That's a very unprofessional way to treat people."

Kohring has also expressed concern about the possibility of a strike by the Mat-Su Education Association Union, given their dissatisfaction over recent contract negotiations. He said he trusts the MSEA will extend the courtesy to the School District of letting them know well in advance of any potential strike. If not, Kohring said it will further justify his bill.

In addition to the Anchorage School District, the Association of Alaska School Boards supports House Bill 224.