Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter
Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter
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CAT Tracks for December 9, 2006
STATE OF THE UNIONS |
The article below was brought to my attention today. Gotta share...and make a few "leftist" comments.
The article is from a "rightist" publication of/for the business community which of course cannot abide unions of any ilk...and especially those of school employees...leaches that we are, slurping our daily bread from the public coffers...money that would best be invested in private and/or charter schools. (I warned you that these would be "leftist" comments!)
First of all, I don't know a thing about WEA or how the great state of Washington handles its dues collections and expenditures...and I really don't care. However, cases like these...if won by the "rightist"...tend to have a ripple effect that could well reach Illinois.
I do know something about how the IEA system works.
The IEA collects $20 from each certified member ($10 from each noncertified member) each year for the express purpose of funding political action efforts...the infamous PAC money. This money is used to support legislation and legislators favorable to Illinois public education and educators. This is how we increase our benefits and fight back efforts to take them away. THAT is the goal of every "interest group"...to look out for the well being of its members. Apologies? You won't get any here.
The "rightist rag" states that unions make it difficult, if not down right impossible, to get that PAC money back. Yeah, right! Just like we always hear the refrain that it's impossible to get rid of tenured teachers...another lie. In Illinois, if you "object" to $20 being "forcibly taken" (stolen?) from your paycheck each year, all you have to do is send a letter (heck...I'll provide the stamp) to Springfield and ask for it...and they will refund it to you. (Okay...we do have you this year...it had to be done by sometime in November. We ARE sneaky...only giving you 3 months to make your request. Hey...mark your calendars for next year!)
I am always amazed at the irony inherent in the whining of the "rightists"...some, like myself, might call it hypocrisy. These folks shake their heads at the "welfare state" and lament those that expect something for nothing. They want their PAC money back...how dare the damned teachers' union take their hard earned money without their permission! Well...have I got a deal for them. I'll personally give any one of them their $20 back...IF they will give me the difference between what we make under our Contract and the state minimum provided by the Illinois School Code. But...not so fast...they also have to give back their teachers' retirement, their health benefits, and their job security. I'll be nice and won't even go after sick days, personal days, extracurricular pay, etc. As the article says...that would involve onerous bookkeeping! Many folks don't want to pay union dues, but they sure do want the gravy that the union has provided, either through direct negotiations of contracts or through legislative efforts financed by the infamous PAC money! Explain to me how not paying union dues but accepting all the benefits derived from union activities would be any different from welfare...
But...I've got another bone to pick! And, I warn you...this is some more of my "leftist" leanings!
The "rightists" always want to attack the hated unions for being communistic...stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Case in point, a sentence from the article:
And there is always the implied charge that teachers' unions are undemocratic...they deny members their "rights"...because everyone doesn't get what he/she wants. What definition of "democracy" are they using? The one used in the United States is the one based upon "majority rule and minority rights". Yes...everyone has a right to voice their opinion...to speak passionately for their cause. But...at the end of the day...the majority rules. So 4,000 teachers in the state of Washington don't like what's going on. They need to engage in "democracy"...talk to their colleagues...convince them of the "rightness" of their cause...sway people to their side. In short...become the majority...and have their way! In another instance of irony/hypocrisy...these same people who criticize "liberals" for going to court and suing over anything and everything...these same people are going to the United States Supreme Court because the majority wants to "pay the freight" to win benefits for ALL public school employees. Go figure!
These arguments are all bogus...a smoke screen for folks that want their own "free ride". These folks that hate unions so much need to go work some place where there aren't any unions...and see how they like it. Maybe Wal-Mart will open a chain of charter schools and they can teach there...at everyday low prices! They will also probably qualify for food stamps and other "freebies". AND...after 20 years, they would get a free shirt!!!
BUT...what about the NEA...the biggest and baddest of the "terrorist" unions? The NEA approaches their political action fund raising in a totally different way...they ask for it! When you sign up, the NEA asks if you will donate $10 for political action...that's it. Oh, if you get active...attend the NEA's Representative Assembly...they will ask you to donate money to "the cause". Each year, they are able to raise a couple of million dollars from the 9,000 delegates that attend. The NEA also does other fund-raising activities during the year in order to raise money to fight for the cause of public education employees...and children. The NEA does NOT take your dues dollars and use them for political purposes. THAT is forbidden by law...and the current not-so-friendly Republican administration goes to great lengths to check up on the NEA's compliance with that law!
AND...a final word about the "accusation" that teachers' unions donate most of their political action money to Democrats instead of Republicans. Guilty as charged! Why? The NEA (the IEA and other state affiliates) interview Republican and Democratic candidates for national and state office...their positions on issues important to public schools and public school employees. The organizations monitor the performance of incumbents...comparing their actions to their campaign promises. Base upon their findings, the organizations make recommendations of member support and, yes, make donations to their political campaigns. When Republicans have more to offer than Democrats, the support and money goes to them. Why would teachers' organizations endorse and give money to candidates who pledge to take actions injurious to public education and its employees?
Okay...I'll quit...I think you catch my drift!
Incidentally, if you would like "equal time", THIS union will give it to you. Send me your signed response and I will publish it...withholding your name if you so desire. And...I won't even offer further comment or rebuttal. I had my turn.
Oh, and before I forget...here is the article!
From the Wall Street Journal...
Where does this person live? Definitely not in the United States of America! Or...has she been evading income taxes all these years? Or...does she agree with every policy carried out by the United States government and her state government that TAKE a sizable portion of her income every year...much more than her lowly teachers' union? I mean, give me a break!
