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peacefulplace -> RE: America is strong when our unions are strong (9/2/2010 3:59:57 PM)
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I've seen very little discussion of teachers' "unions," the demon child of those who claim to want "educational reform." I've taught in a "right to work" state down South, and I've taught in a unionized school system in Maryland. Allow me to lay it on the line:
In a unionized system, I've actually had some say in my working and compensation packages. My contract is pages long due to that. In a non unionized state, my contract was one measley page that basically guaranteed the system the rights to my first born.
In a unionized system, there is a limit to the number of evening activities I can be asked to attend and chaperone (so it's still work, after all). In a non unionized system, I could be asked to attend any number of night events, as the principal directed.
In a unionized system, I am asked to dress "professionally" but nothing beyond that. In a non unionized system, I worked for a principal who required female teachers to wear dresses/skirts and pantyhose every. single. day.
I could go on and on about the inequitites, but this is the most important. In a non union system, I did NOT feel like a professional, nor was I held to a high standard of teaching. When I moved to a unionized system, I finally was. I felt more responsible. But I also felt more respected as a professional.
The hubris that Obama, Duncan, and The Washington Post feel the necessity to denigrate the National Education Association, of which I am a member, infuriates me. Add to that the fact that NONE of those people or entitities has one revolutionary or workable idea about education reform, and I cannot say anything except that America is hostile to education, to education reform, and most of all, to teachers.
The same applies to the American worker in other fields.
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