"It's no different to me than watching democracy spread across the Middle East," said Mark Walsh, president of the Troy Teachers Association,
"I strongly believe that the right to collectively bargain is an American fundamental basis for our democracy," said Mary Sherwood of West Sand Lake, a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital in Troy Comparing union bargaining rights to fundamental rights under an oppressive dictatorship in a place where people die for speaking their minds? Really?!?
Should our founding fathers have refused to cross the Delaware in the dead of winter with rags around their feet because they weren't contractually obligated to do so? Really?!?
I understand when a child has a fit because someone won't let her have another cookie, and another cookie, and another cookie. And if that child cries long enough and loud enough, some parents will just "give in, because it's easier."
Bargaining rights for teachers include being protected by the powerful Teachers' Union when they are requested to perform tasks for which they are not "contractually obligated," for instance chaperoning a dance or meeting parents after hours. "I don't have to and you can't make me!"
Tenure in New York State means, in essence, that after three years a teacher joins the ranks of the untouchables. If, after three years, a teacher (you know who you are) decides to work strictly according to the 5.5 +/- hours a day, 9 +/- months a year contract, so be it. A poorly performing teacher, CAN NOT be fired! It would be too much trouble to battle the union attorneys, too costly and probably take years, so... here, just have the cookie!
I never could understand how that is good for the teachers who, by their powerful call of VOCATION, need to teach, need to keep learning, need to inspire children in the classroom or even outside of the typical school day (you also know who you are). Teaching because they feel the need to inspire children ignite imagination and stand up as a role model for the next generation of leaders. Children learn what they see.
Many private school teachers don't belong to unions - does that make them less important? Are they not as good? Do they not care about their students' education? Do their students suffer because they make less money or have to pay more for their benefits? Of course not.
Does not belonging to a powerful union mean they can be fired? YOU BET!
Don't get me wrong, if someone - anyone- is fired for reasons protected under the law - (EOE) there is still a path for recourse. State laws prohibit discrimination -for everyone, not just union members - and there is reasonable protection under the law if someone is fired based on discriminatory practices or forced to work under dangerous working conditions. Of course, there is no one to pay your legal fees for you if you don't belong to a union. You won't be suspended WITH PAY pending the outcome of a court case if you don't belong to a union. You may have to stand up for yourself with nothing but RIGHT on your side.
If a regular "middle class" person without the Herculean protection of a powerful union does not work up to the expectations of the employer, should he get a free pass and just keep collecting a paycheck, benefits, retirement contributions, sick time, personal time, consistent pay raises?!?
Teachers - those who have been called to this vocation - will teach - regardless of rights, benefits, or accolades. For all the right reasons they will teach. A teacher just can't not teach. A painter can't not paint, a writer, can't not write...see what I mean?
Unions certainly played an important role in our history. Established in order to improve the workers' conditions, through either negotiation or strike action. "To protect the skilled labor of America from being reduced to beggary and to sustain the standard of American workmanship and skill, the trades unions of America have been established." Thus the AFL was a federation that organized only unions of skilled workers. read more about the history of unions.
While unions have done a lot of good and have helped workers avoid exploitation, they also seem to have helped workers exploit employers . Perhaps it has been a gradual shift over time, with unions slowly accumulating more and more power: Unions: Good or Bad?
Tell me what you think about the ever-growing power of unions. Leave a comment or email me at catherine.sager@yahoo.com
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