Despite what some among us would like to believe it is not because of our creative ideas; it is not because of the merit of our positions; it is not because we care about children; and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child.
The NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power. And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing (my note: actually they are forced by federal law to pay in many if not most cases) to pay us hundreds of million of dollars in dues each year because they believe that we are the unions that can most effectively represent them; the union that can protect their rights and advance their interests as education employees.
This is not to say that the concern of NEA and its affiliates with closing achievement gaps, reducing drop rate rates, improving teacher quality, and the like are unimportant or inappropriate To the contrary these are the goals that guide the work we do. But they need not and must not be achieved at the expense of due process, employee rights, or collective bargaining.
That is simply too high a price to pay.
H/T Wintery Knight and the Heritage Foundation
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4 comments:
Out of their own mouths!!!
Susan
Power corrupts.
Many years ago I was listening (on the radio) to an interview with the head of the Calif. Teachers Association.
He was asked, "when are you going to start caring more about the students and their needs, rather than the needs of the teachers and the union?"
He answered, "when they start paying union dues."
Incredible. After I read Mr. Chanin's remarks I, for one moment, thought I might actually believe in aliens-as in the other planetary type. After a brief discussion with Danny, we reminded ourselves that we are the aliens. Oh, how to make a difference for the Lord.
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