Posted on 03/12/2011 2:24:50 PM PST by LibFreeOrDie
The executive board of the state's largest teachers union has called for a boycott of the businesses owned by state Republican National Committeeman and Concord developer Steve Duprey because he has called for an end to collective bargaining for public employees and to teacher tenure.
Duprey said he respects "the right of every person and organization to do business with whomever they choose," but did not back off his opinion.
The February/March edition of NEA-New Hampshire Educator, the union's newsletter, cited an opinion piece Duprey wrote in the Dec. 30, 2010, New Hampshire Union Leader.
As part of a suggested agenda for the state Legislature, which at that point had yet to begin its business, Duprey suggested abolishing collective bargaining for public employees and eliminating teacher tenure in the state.
"Unions, which in certain circumstances play an important role in establishing workplace fairness, are, in state government, essentially outmoded and prevent good management," Duprey wrote.
He also wrote, "We believe in local control of schools, and so any school district that wants to leave tenure in place should be free to do so, in exchange for forgoing state aid. Tenure is archaic and holds back desperately needed educational reforms."
The NEA newsletter reports that the NEA-NH Executive Board voted at its January meeting "to boycott the businesses owned or operated by Steve Duprey.
It went on to name four Concord facilities he owns: the Comfort Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Grappone Conference Center and Residence Inn.
The newsletter said that Duprey has used public money to fund some of his projects and "always seems willing to put his hand out for taxpayer money."
The newsletter also noted that "New Hampshire doesn't have teacher tenure."
Duprey provided a written response to the New Hampshire Union Leader:
"I respect the right of every person and organization to do business with whomever they choose."
"That is the hallmark of a free society. While I personally think teacher tenure is an outmoded and outdated concept that serves neither teachers nor students well, I am disappointed that the NEA chooses to try to punish anyone who would even have a dialogue on this or other important issues around education."
He continued, "Our companies have a long history of generous sponsorship of school programs, initiatives and, in particular, sports. We are regularly solicited by teachers, coaches and administrators to support these great programs. I have never known a teacher or administrator who has been unwilling to solicit my support for a program because I think we should find a different solution on teacher security than tenure."
Duprey said, "Unlike the way the NEA seeks to act, both I personally and our companies will continue to support school programs and the teachers and coaches who lead them even though I may hold different views on how we make education better for our kids."
Punishing their mealticket (taxpayers) won’t be a real effective strategy.
I encourage them all to do it.
These unions are being really stupid. They are revealing themselves to the people and most don’t like it a bit. Blackmail is ugly, and “punishing” those who pay your salary is uncommonly stupid.
If we all start asking "are yo Union?", and then tell them to take a hike if they are, it won't be long before they find themselves without jobs.
Those who want the public-funded taxpayer-fleecing government jobs are those who will find themselves replaced by NON-UNION Merit-based workers.....and they will see the folly of their extortion and strong-arm tactics.
Remember that we’re talking about public unions here. They made sure to create a monopoly so that you can’t boycott their “product” easily. That’s why they feel so unaccountable.
Again, the fear is Merit-Based performance measures, NO "Tenure" (aka, Seniority that allows poor performers to stay employed), AND, the loss of Union Dues when their targeted groups are given the opportunity to LEAVE the Union, and pocket thousands of dollars that they pay in dues, annually.
It will spread to the Private Sector (just look at the number of businesses that have relocated to Right-To-Work/Non-Union States).
What might that solution be?
Duprey is right. Unions are miniature Soviet Unions.
I hope this is broadcast far and wide.
Should improve his business by at least 50%.
Some people are so stupid; especially those so beholden to unions they cannot even think for themselves anymore.
You think that’s bad, you should read “Solidarity” (union magazine). Talk about propaganda...
Can we assume no member of the teacher’s union has a spouse or family member who runs their own business — real estate company, insurance, store, etc.
I have friends who are teachers, and know of teachers in my area who’s family members own and operate businesses I patronize. Most likely I won’t be boycotting them, however, the next time I am looking for services those business offer, it just might occur to me that I could take my business elsewhere.
‘Solidarity’ — that’s the name of their union magazine? Now that is a bit creepy. Hmmmm.
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