The AFL-CIO Executive Council voted March 2 to condemn the mass firing of all Central Falls (R.I.) High School staff.

The school board sent termination letters to 74 teachers, claiming the action was necessary to improve student achievement.

The AFL-CIO resolution denounced the terminations as counterproductive.

“Firing employees to improve education is a sledgehammer reaction,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “What’s needed is a collaborative plan to give teachers and students the tools they need to succeed.”

The Central Falls Teachers Union developed its own plan to improve standards that includes some elements of the district’s proposal. The gesture was enough to get Superintendent Frances Gallo back to the table to work with the union on school reform.

Union leaders are asking colleagues to go to a new Web site to learn more about the struggle and to sign a petition in support of the educators. Go to www.centralfallskidsdeservebetter.com to take action.

While it’s encouraging the Central Falls union is back at the negotiating table, NYSUT and its national affiliates remain deeply concerned about the mass firing and are closely monitoring the situation.