Washington Teacher's Union President Says Fight Over Layoffs Isn't Over

Officials at the Washington Teacher's Union say they haven't decided as yet whether they will appeal a judge's ruling that does not require Chancellor Michelle Rhee to reinstate the more than 250 teachers who were laid off in October.

But union leaders say the fight isn't over.

George Parker, President of the WTU says regardless of whether they appeal in the courts, they're going to take a two pronged approach. One, they're consulting with attorneys to determine whether the reduction in Force or RIF is subject to the grievance and arbitration procedure. Also, he says they're urging individual employees to take action on their own.

"We're going to have all the employees file with the Office of Employee Appeals and challenge the process the RIF was conducted in," says Parker.

Judge Judith Bartnoff ruled the WTU did not prove it's allegations against Chancellor Michelle Rhee and that Rhee did have the budgetary basis to lay off the teachers. Judge Bartnoff wrote reinstating the teachers would cause additional disruption to the schools and the students because the schools have since revised their schedules and staffing.