Comments on: Let my school go its own way

By: Andy Freeman

Andy Freeman — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:24:24 +0000

> my teacherâ€™s union has the right to collect dues from my check because I supposedly â€œbenefitâ€ from their bargaining

You’re only required to pay for bargaining spending. The fact that they cheat is yet another thing that teachers have to answer for.

I’ve pointed out repeatedly that teachers aren’t professionals because they aren’t responsibility. Shirking responibility for teachers unions, which they control, shows that the attitude runs deep.

By: Andy Freeman

Andy Freeman — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:21:16 +0000

> Colorado, though, is a forced unionism state.

It’s only forced by the union, which teachers control, not by law. (The law in closed shop states says that closed shop agreements are legal, not that a shop must be closed.)

If teachers want to have an open shop, they can have it. They actively choose closed shops when given the choice so it’s rather absurd to complain about closed shops.

As I wrote above – teachers control their unions so they’re responsible for them.

By: SuperSub

SuperSub — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:30:27 +0000

Andy-
Whether I choose to be a member or not, my teacher’s union has the right to collect dues from my check because I supposedly “benefit” from their bargaining. So, even if I choose to oppose the union, I’m still required to support it as long as I work.

By: Quincy

Quincy — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:36:06 +0000

Andy –

In a right to work state, your statement would be correct. Colorado, though, is a forced unionism state. Teachers have no choice about joining the union, and that situation allows union leadership to act in any way they choose because coerced members can’t act against them in any substantive way. The only choice they have is to form their own union, if they can get that approved by the various government agencies involved.

Long story short, government backing unions through forced unionism is a destructive force in the American economy that should be stopped, now.

By: Andy Freeman

Andy Freeman — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:07:31 +0000

Sorry Rob – teachers control their unions so teachers are collectively responsible for said unions.

If you don’t like to be held responsible for what teacher unions do, stop them from doing it.

Alternatively, quit. Oh, but you can’t do that (in most cases) because teachers decided that membership is mandatory. (Yes, I know about the “bargaining costs only” option. Do you know a union that bills that honestly? Once again, teachers in action.)

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:49:59 +0000

>The next time I hear a teacher union say â€œitâ€™s all
>for the childrenâ€, Iâ€™ll politely mention thatâ€™s apparently
>not true every where, especially in Denver.

There, fixed that for you.

By: JoeH

JoeH — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:25:54 +0000

The next time I hear a teacher say “it’s all for the children”, I’ll politely mention that’s apparently not true every where, especially in Denver.

By: john holland

john holland — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:19:22 +0000

This is the type of obstructionist union “protection” that infuriates me.

The union is protecting its own interest yet again. The union should be there advocating for the teachers deserve even more freedom. This is what happens teachers and prinicpals start working together. Suddenly, central administration and the union are the only people in the way of student progress.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:43:36 +0000

About 70% of the Randolph teachers voted to request the autonomy. But until the union made its decision last week, there has been no talk of breaking away from union membership there that I’ve heard. The school and teachers have followed a waiver process contained in the bargaining agreement to seek an unprecedented amount of freedom from red tape and negotiated rules that govern budgeting, hiring, schedules, etc. The focus has only turned to the union now that its officials have decided to stand in the way.

One thing seems clear: Randolph’s principal & faculty seem determined not to let the union’s roadblock slow them down, whether it’s seeking a charter or finding some other route.

Is anyone aware of such an attempt for autonomy by a district public school anywhere else in the country? I find this story absolutely fascinating.

By: SuperSub

SuperSub — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:59:14 +0000

Forgive my knowledge of union rules and such, but can’t the teachers of the school somehow vote to break off from the union (and possibly make their own in the process)?