Once mighty teacher union's influence on wane [The vote of FL teachers: Up for grabs]

The St. Petersburg Times ^ | March 25, 2002 | STEPHEN HEGARTY and KELLY RYAN GILMER

[summer]

Sometimes privitization is not the answer.

I agree, but believe it or not, some FL school districts already privatize certain servies, such as landscaping for the schools. It is cheaper to bid out those jobs than to have people on the county payroll doing it. And, the grass does get cut.

[summer]

You know, all the GOP has to do is hold on a little longer, and the Democratic coalition will self-destruct.

But, I predict many teachers who flee the union will do what I did - drop out of the Dem Party, and then join NO party.

Also, it is interesting to watch what is going on in FL, because the Dem Party Leaders love to point at Gov Bush and say HE is the reason for any problems. But, the truth -- and the bottom line -- is that the ineffective Dem leadership in areas like education has been a major reason Gov Bush has had the opportunity to do so much. And, much of what he has done has been successful, which is a fact the Dem Leaders never acknowledge.

[summer]

FYI.

[jalisco555]

I suspect that many of these young teachers don't want to join an organization that protects the incompetent and that wants to make seniority the sole criterion for career advancement.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Roughly 6 out of 10 teachers in Florida are union members, and many of the members are nearing retirement. Younger teachers appear to be slower to join.

When I taught I was forced to join the union. If they were for kids instead of themselves, the nation would support them. Its sad when they bring down their profession for the sake of improving their lot when all they have to do is dedicate themselves (en mass) to education and watch the progress they would make.

PS, I know very well that there are many teachers who do their very best to do as I have suggested here, but they must do it together and reject the union and the union message as well.

[mafree]

Good news!!

[gatorman]

Bumpity . . . Bump >>>>>>> bump ........... bump!

Elect JEB in November Twenty-02. . . for all of Florida, me, and you.

Great Job . . . summer!

FRegards . . .