Archive for April 2014

Former Teacher Union President George Parker has changed his mind about vouchers, believing it should be all about the kids.  His editorial appears in The Tennessean. For many years I opposed school vouchers, also known as opportunity scholarships. Now I strongly support legislative efforts in Tennessee to give parents this powerful tool to improve their child’s education.…

Once again, the courts have upheld Wisconsin Act 10.  Government employee unions in the city of Madison, Wisconsin, and Dane County do not have a constitutional right to monopoly bargaining.  Reuters has the story. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled against public employee unions that represent workers for the city of…

Larry Sand, California Teacher Empowerment Network, explains how The Modesto Teachers Association’s is proposing to leave the National Education Association and the California Teachers Association and the consequences for teachers.  Read the whole story in unionwatcho.org. Upon entering the profession, public school teachers in California are forced into a unified dues structure. This means that…

New York state and city teacher union bosses spent almost $5 million, more than any other lobbying group, in 2013.  New York state law allows for mandatory monopoly bargaining and compulsory unionism.  Agency fee deductions are mandatory and automatic, not negotiable, upon certification of the exclusive bargaining representative.  That means every New York teacher must either join or support the national,…

A private school near Philadelphia caused a firestorm among AFT union bosses when the board of directors decided to no longer negotiate a union contract after the current one expires in August.  Steve Gunn has the story on Education Action Group.  Labor leaders are reportedly enraged that the board of directors at the Perelman Jewish Day School…

Mike Antonucci began reporting on this story involving California State Senator Leland Yee in late March, 2014.  Apparently he was endorsed by and received campaign contributions from several education unions in California.  The real shame is that California teachers were forced to pay dues for this support, but will receive nothing in return.  To add insult…

Some involved in Wisconsin politics are questioning union bosses’ endorsement of Mary Burke for governor.  At least those teachers who do not agree with the Wisconsin Education Action Council’s (WEAC) endorsement will not have to pay for it with forced dues.  Nyall Muennuddin has the story in the Wisconsin Badger-Herald. As the race for governor draws closer, three of Wisconsin’s…