Let's Help Nail the Teachers Unions -- It is National FReep Time

dfu | 1-23-01 | dfu

[doug from upland]

READ HOW EFF IS NAILING THE UNION IN WASHINGTON

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation just reported that the NEA is giving some dues money back to 4,000 teachers in the state of Washington.

The good news comes on the heels of the million dollars in fines and assessement charged to the Washington Education Association for taking member dues and using them for RAT political purposes without permission.

We need to replicate the success of EFF across the country.

I have checked a district near me. Some of the schools have all the teachers listed as well as e-mail to each of the teachers.

Is there any downside to sending each of them a simple e-mail:

Attention teacher. You may not know that your union is using dues money for political purposes, in many cases without permission. If that is happening to your dues, you have the right to demand some of your money back. You have a right to demand an accounting. (*** give link to the story or EFF website ***)

Any other ideas?

[harpo11]

According to Federal Election Records found on OpenSecrets.org for the election year 2000 the NEA donated $2,691,678 of which 92% of the recipients were Democrats.

Moreover, if CFR (campaign finance reform) were passed only unions would be able to advertise for their candidates and/or political ideologies in the 60 day period prior to an election. Non-unions would be excluded.

[doug from upland]

They do more than donate directly. They conduct a number of activities that directly benefit the RATS.

Marsha, can you share some of their activities?

[EdReform]

"How? I have a couple of friends that are teachers. They are young, dumb, and unaware about the union they belong to."

Have them check out the following (and pass the info along to parents and to students who are considering or are already education majors):

Association of American Educators
25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 104
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone: 949-595-7979 or 1-800-704-7799
Fax: 949-595-7970
Email: info@aaeteachers.org
Website: www.aaeteachers.org

Please note that the AAE is not a union. It is a professional association. Annual dues are $125 per year for teachers (includes $2 Million liability insurance - one of the reasons teachers join the NEA or AFT is for liability insurance). Student, retired educator, and associate/support memberships are $25 per year.

Here are some links that will be of interest to teachers (and parents):

"Grading the NEA - What Every Teacher Needs to Know About The National Education Association: A Special Report" by Perry L. Glanzer, Ph.D. & Travis R. Pardo (http://www.family.org/gradingthenea/news/a0012243.html)

"The Impact of Unionism on the Quality of Public Education" by David Denholm (http://www.psrf.org/doc/art2.html)

"Teacher Unions and Parent Involvement" (http://www.educationpolicy.org/EPIseries/parent-bklt.htm)

[EdReform]

Parent-Teacher stores are another place to leave copies of this information. And PTA/PTO meetings...

[EdReform]

Ping

[EdReform]

Ping...

(Please help get this info out to teachers and parents)

[Eska]

I really don't think most of the teachers out there are all that excited about the NEA's political platform, but it's the only organization teachers have to protect them from lawsuits, ect. Break up a fight in the classroom and you can be sued nowadays. School boards are not going to award teachers salary increases on merit or for any other reason; nature of the game. So most teachers feel they do need a union to protect them and they will never gain any form of compensation from the fairness of their school district.

In my school district, teachers are required to have a 5th year degree plus about 20 extra credits inorder to start at 31,000. Close to 6 years of school. Low pay and compensation is a major issue to teachers also. they have kids to raise too. This is the reason why so many leave education for the private sector after a couple of years.

Think what you may, but Washington's plan is to federalize education and cut the local control out of the picture. Then you watch what happens. The feds will dictate what your child believes, mind control. Even Bush wants to be the education president, throwing money in every direction.

I sure wish more conservatives could spend some time in the shoes of a teacher inorder to see what is really happening within education in America

[EdReform]

"...but it's the only organization teachers have to protect them from lawsuits, ect. Break up a fight in the classroom and you can be sued nowadays..."

Would the AAE's liability policy provide teachers with adequate protection?

"Think what you may, but Washington's plan is to federalize education and cut the local control out of the picture."

It seems that the NEA wants to cut local control, too:

Unions 'TURN' Tables on School Boards

[Angelique]

As always, you provide a wealth of information, as well as direction. It sounds like, with some leadership, we can make make a difference.

[Eska]

So right, the NEA is also blinded by the $$$$$$ they see coming once teachers become federal employees. That's their complete interest in the matter.

Seriously, most of the teachers I know are not on the left end of the spectrum like most people on FR seem to believe. The nature of local property taxes vs teacher benefits seems to force them into supporting the dems. So much controversy over so many issues.

Here's an example: My wife has 2 masters. We moved to Alaska from back east. The state certification office which was under repub control questioned her 4 year degree certification but was completely happy with both her masters certifications. NCATE standards. Wife has been teaching over 15 years. Anyway, she called the NEA for legal assistance and they filled her in on the vendetta the repubs had against teachers; stick them every chance they had. NEA lawyers also called the state certification office on the carpet and boy did heads roll. Wife was certified the nx day and also received an apology. Bottom line is even though my wife is registered repub, she now feels the NEA is there to help her. I think most teachers have had similiar experiences and will not go against the union for those reasons.

Seeing the feds expand their control in all areas of education still grates me to no end anyway. Not good for our children's future.

[EdReform]

Ping

[unamused]

Ummm.... W increased the education budget by 5%, he likes the teachers unions...

[Salvation]

How did I miss this thread?

[timestax]

Hey hey, bump against union tyrants!!

[EdReform]

Bump!

[let freedom sing]

These are a bunch of brainwashed Oprah Book Club Readers..... I've met teachers who NEVER read a book.

[timestax]

bttt

[UCANSEE2]

Thought you would be interested in this thread

[summer]

Any ideas?

Doug, I think you should also try to find out:

(1) Which teachers in the union may also be registered GOP voters -- and, there will be some; I'm sure. Also, which teachers are registered independent or no party affiliation.

(2) Contact those union teachers, and sugget they write letters to the editor of the NEA Online, a magazine, in order to inform other teachers of their rights. The NEA says they will publish letters from union members.

Last year the NEA pubished a letter from a teacher (and union member) who took the NEA to task for failing to interview Rod Paige and support GW in his new position as POTUS. I was surprised to see that letter, as it was very blunt in its criticism of the NEA's poor treatment of GW and his new administration.

PS UCANSEE2, thanks for the flag! :)

[EdReform]

BTTT