Teacher Union Explains Their Priorities (VIDEO)

Capitol Confidential ^ | 5/27/2010 | CapCon

[MichCapCon]

What is the purpose of teacher unions? To work for children? Establish new and better requirements? Push their members to better serve parents and children?

How about obtain as much power as possible and use it to become effective advocates of a selective agenda?

Don't take it from me, this is coming from the National Education Association's just-retired General Counsel Bob Chanin. (The NEA, remember, is the Michigan Education Association's parent body).

"Despite what some among us would like to believe, it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children. And it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power. And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year because they believe that we are the unions that can most effectively represent them, the unions that can protect their rights and advance their interests as education employees."

As legendary New York teachers union leader Albert Shanker said, "When school children start paying union dues, that's when I'll start representing the interests of school children."

Check out the video...

[newfreep]

New York teachers union leader Albert Shanker said, "When school children start paying union dues, that's when I'll start representing the interests of school children."

[hal ogen]

I wonder if any teachers think they are fools for supporting this union crap.

[dalebert]

teachers union blows dues money on itself now wants tax payers to pay for screwing our kids out of an education.

[Pat4ever]

Many teachers are quite aware. School districts in certain states, OH for example, may insist that you either belong to the union or pay an amount almost equal to dues if you chose not to belong. There are many strong Conservatives in that angry and unrepresented group!

[sickoflibs]

RE :"Despite what some among us would like to believe, it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children. And it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power. And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year because they believe that we are the unions that can most effectively represent them, the unions that can protect their rights and advance their interests as education employees"

This video is fantastic because current NEA spokesman is going on the cable channels claiming the current emergency public school funding bill (which will be added to another bill) is critical to 'save our children', not just to save their member's jobs. They spent all the stimulus money they got and now have that gun to our kids heads.

[stephenjohnbanker]

My father refused to join a teachers union at the University of Massachusetts some 35 years ago. My dad became a real popular fella....REAL popular.....as in DEATH THREATS!!

[anniegetyourgun]

Public education has never been about the kids.

[dalebert]

Unions are mafia

[stephenjohnbanker]

Worse. My dad carried a gun on campus(no permit)

[JimRed]

...there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year...

I wonder, how many would opt out if they had the opportunity?

[Elle Bee]

The comments are better than the stories:

.

[juniorbear]

I retired from public education as an administrator in 2002. I began teaching in 1970. I quit NEA around 1976 when I began to see liberalism begin to show it’s ugly head. Survived just fine without them for the rest of my public school career. I’m sure most of you are aware
that NEA recommends “Rules for Radicals” for it’s organizers. Worst “lobbying” organization for its membership ever.

[newfreep]

"I’m sure most of you are aware that NEA recommends “Rules for Radicals” for it’s organizers."

Yikes! Is there any link that I can use in discussions with liberals?

Also, thanks for your efforts - no doubt your students appreciated you and what you did for their critical thinking process. I've taught in the business school at our university on an adjunct basis and even there I found liberalism rampant among the "enlightened" profs.

[newfreep]

I found this - “NEA recommends the following Saul Alinsky books to those members of our Association who are involved in grassroots organizing, especially Association Representatives (ARs) — also known as building reps or shop stewards — and leaders at local affiliates.”

http://www.nea.org/tools/17231.htm

[GOPJ]

Interesting idea - have you read the book yet?

http://www.michaelpatrickleahy.com/

[newfreep]

Actually, considering BIG Education has failed, I was NOT surprised the NEA would recommend a book that calls for the overthrow of America and replaced with communism. Sure, conservatives can learn more effective techniques to better fight the war against the communists.

[Blood of Tyrants]

A lot join the union because they think it is the only place they can get professional liability insurance when in truth there are many, many places that will sell it to them for less than they pay the union.