Calling it "a sad day for the children of this territory," Gov. Charles W. Turnbull on Wednesday said the strike by members of the American Federation of Teachers was "a counterproductive action" and asked them to return to classrooms while discussions on resolving the situation continue at Government House.
In an impromptu noon interview on WVWI Radio One, Turnbull nonetheless said, "This administration is sympathetic to the plight of teachers and other government workers who are grossly underpaid, due to previously negotiated contracts.
"But a sense of reality must exist," he said. "This administration has been confronted by a financial problem of significant magnitude. … We are determined to do the right thing, but we cannot turn back by promising monies we do not have and cannot sustain."
The governor said it would be "morally wrong" to promise teachers what the government cannot deliver. "You cannot get blood from a stone," he said.
Turnbull is meeting this afternoon with top financial advisors and senators to try to work out a solution to the crisis. A number of different scenarios have already been discussed in talks Tuesday and last week, including proposals from Sens. David Jones, Lorraine Berry, Adelbert "Bert" Bryan and Alicia "Chucky" Hansen, Turnbull said.
