Foundations and Assessment of Education/Edition 1/Foundations Table of Contents/Chapter 7/7.4.2

Why do Teachers Join Unions?

Old Dominion University

Abstract

Organizations such as unions, represent the nationâs teachers, and play a crucial role in helping to determine the policies that affect public schools. At least 80 percent of public school teachers belong either to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) or the National Education Association (NEA), with more than 60 percent being covered be some formal collective bargaining agency. Through both political advocacy and collective bargaining on the local, state and national levels, teacherâs unions seek to improve not only the general working conditions and salaries of its members, better health and retirement benefits, more secure jobs, and safer working conditions, which therefore impact the way in which education is provided, financed and governed. Teachers are given the option of joining a union to procure all of these benefits and to stand together as a unified body when facing the many adversities in the public school system today. The role of the unions has drastically changed the way in which educational resources are distributed, and the way in which schools function.

Introduction

Mrs. Jensen announced to the class one week earlier that they were to study for an upcoming science test. She also advised her students on the day of the test that they were to take their notebooks from their lockers as she was willing to give them an open book test to help them pass the test. On the morning of the test all students except John Miller had his notebook. He was standing in the hallway socializing with his friend, and did not have time to go to his locker as instructed. As Mrs. Jensen started handing out the test, John raised his hand and asked to go back to his locker, Mrs. Jensen politely declined his request, stating that he had had over twenty minutes locker time and should have followed the instruction that she had given. Thinking that this was the best corrective measure for John and to show John that he needed, not only to follow instructions, but also to learn responsibility, Mrs. Jensen continued her test and did not allow him to go to the locker. The next day, she was summoned to the office of the principal who clearly indicated her disapproval of the situation and asked that Mrs. Jensen, not only apologize to the student, but also to the parent who had made the complaint. Flabbergasted, Mrs. Jensen called her union representative to find out what was the best course of action when faced with such a situation. Before the end of the day, a representative was in the office of the principal as an advocate for the teacher and the choice that she made. This is primarily one of the duties that unions provide to teachers, and a main reason why teachers join organizations such as union, as they provide a host of positive benefits to teachers. Consequently, there are also a few negatives associated with unions and why teachers may opt not to become members of any of the number of unions that offer these benefits.

Positives of Joining a Union.

The question might arise: why would a professional join an organization such as a union? The simplest reason might be to improve wages and benefits. However, for teachers the answer is more complex. âTeacher unions are driven by goals, concepts, and ideas-not by solely financial enhancements.â During the seventies organized teachers made remarkable strides in gaining non-compensation benefits. By the eighties, a number of bargaining agencies included in their provisions for the teacherâs contracts regulations on the length of the school day, allowing teachers to exclude disruptive students from the classroom, and allowing teachers to respond formally to administrative evaluations. As reform policies that were formally aimed at students have moved to reforms aimed at dealing with teachers, teacher organizations have become even more crucial in advocating educational improvement. Teachers join the union so that they have a way for their voices to be heard. One teacher alone would have little impact on the educational decisions being made. The union provides a means for individuals to amalgamate and have a collective voice in developing safe schools, improving teaching conditions, and raising educational standards with the understanding that their thoughts will not be ignored or be subject to retaliation. Teacher unions advocate for the students whose schools serve even as they achieve security and respect for their members at the same time. Presently, teacher unions are in the front fighting to get legislation for lower class size, more staff development to improve teaching techniques, higher academic standards, more technology in the schools, and zero tolerance discipline codes. Teachers join the union because unions benefit the students, raise standards, and have significant influence on the entire educational system. In addition, teachers join unions because through the process of collective bargaining, the union offset management demands. A negotiated contract sets the rules and working conditions, and subsequently a good contract clarifies basic values, expectations, and goals. Contracts provide consistent policies that are fair and sensible with procedures for appeal if disparities should arise. Teachers want these protections so that they can function in an atmosphere of academic freedom.

Negatives of Joining a Union

The aim of teacherâs organizations is to be advocates for teachers and to work on the local, state and national level to improve working conditions and wages for teachers. However, in a recent study, it was indicated that less than a third of the teachers had had much improvement in setting limits on class sizes, or changes in instructional policies at schools. In todayâs economy teacher unions are struggling to keep what they have despite declining enrollments, diminishing tax bases and federal education cutbacks. School districts everywhere are trying to squeeze concessions out of teacher unions in the form of pay freezes, benefit reductions and even salary cuts. But with both the schools and unions struggling economically, there is little ground for negotiation. Another major drawback to organizations such as unions is that they sometimes disagree on each level. The local level may have one idea of how to improve the conditions for teachers and the state and national may have another. Not only do these differences exist within one particular organization, but they exist between the AFT and the NEA. A crucial criticism of these organizations is that they sometimes advocate their own agenda or the agendas of other agencies. Unions have contracts with regulations that teachers may go against that can lead to fines imposed by the unions. There are also dues which are subtracted from the teacherâs pay. A negative aspect to unions is that they can have tunnel-vision when it comes to certain issues and may not take into account the whole picture when making a determination. Parents and teachers may not agree, and the unions tend to take the side of the teachers. There are also tenure charges from the school district trying that try to dismiss teachers. In such an event a unionized member may be protected, as certain procedures must be followed in-order to dismiss a teacher.

Conclusion

Unions provide a host of positive benefits to teachers. Although there are also a few negatives as to why teachers may opt not to become members it has always been purported that a united front is always better to achieve the collective good of all. Therefore, as a collective bargaining agency and a political advocate, teacherâs organizations serve to enhance the educational experience of students and to provide the best benefits for teachers to ensure that they have the best working conditions possible.

The AFT was formed in1 916 has more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide, 43 state affiliates, and more than 1.4 million members.

The NEA has 3.2 million members and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. With affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the nation. nsert non-formatted text here

Questions

1.   How many members does the NEA currently have?

a.	2.3 million

b.	6 million

c.	3 million

d.	3.2 million

2.   How many members does the AFT currently have?

a.	1.4 million

b.	2.3 million

c.	4.1 million

d.	3.2 million

3. Which is the largest union of teachers?

a. AFT

b. NEA

c. NBPTS

d. NSTA

4. What is one benefit of joining a professional organization?

a. wages and benefits

b. friendship

c. tax rebate

d. money

5.  What is one important role that unions perform?

a. volunteering

b. fundraising

c. collective bargaining

d. campaigning

Key

1. d

2. a

3. b

4. a

5. c

Resources

American Federation of Teachers. (2008). Mission Statement. Retrieved February 12, 2008 from http://www.aft.org/about/index.htm

Haar, C. (1998). Crisis in Education. The Teacher Unions: Enemies of Reform. Retrieved April 20, 2008 from http://www.educationpolicy.org/files/Crisis398.htm

McGrath, E. (1982, October). Little Room to Negotiate. Retrieved January 18, 2008, from http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,949601,00.html

Moe, T. (1997). Teacher Unions and the Public Schools. California: The Rand Corp. Retrieved January 18, 2008, from ERIC http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED293837&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED293837