Frustrated and Angry

Dear Aunt Malkin,

Just when I thought we were through the labour strife and disruption at my local school, it has reared its ugly head again. Now the custodians are withdrawing services such as regular bathroom cleaning and garbage pail emptying. The administrative support staff are also joining in the fun, meaning report cards will be delayed and my daughter's Brownie troup can't meet at the school.  more  What can I do about this?  

Signed, Frustrated and Angry

Dear Frustrated and Angry,

If you have the financial means, you can transfer your daughter to a private school. The staff in private schools don't tend to go on strike, since they know what side their bread is buttered on. In the private sector, dissatisfied customers can walk away, and as a result the private school teachers and support staff are well aware that their jobs depend on providing a service that is sufficiently better than the service provided by the public schools to induce parents to pay several thousand dollars every year. Their self-interest prevents them from striking, whereas in the public sector teachers' self-interest induces them to strike.

Your only other option, realistically, is to home-school. I apologize for not offering additional alternatives, but I am not aware of any.

Regards, Aunt Malkin

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