A school superintendent in Rhode Island fired every high school teacher:
Teacher salaries at the high school average $72-78k. Apparently 50% of the students at the school are failing all of their classes, and the graduation rate is also under 50%. In an effort to turn the school around, the superintendent requested some changes be made whereby the school day would be slightly extended, teachers would perform some extra tutoring, etc.
The union balked and refused the terms, so now she is firing the entire teaching staff of the high school and replacing them.
Exactly right. Even places that aren’t doing too bad should put down their public sector unions. Unions, especially public sector ones, pose a huge threat to states and the country. They need to be disbanded.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:40 am
1. Were there any indicators that poor teaching was the problem?
2. Did the super offer any additional compensation for the extra labor requested?
3. Was there a contract in place with the teachers that covered such a situation?
4. Had the super ever heard of “unfair labor practices”?
5. How do you think the court suit over breach of contract will turn out?
6. Are public employers entitled to unilaterally set the terms of employment? Can they change those terms arbitrarily?
7. Do you think the super will survive the challenge of her “arbitrary and capricious” action?
8. Do you think employers are fair and unbiased judges of terms of labor?
February 16th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Who cares about 1-7? The point is that the union said no, and the superintendent did too. Nothing says you have to do what unions say.
I mean, who cares about 1-7?
February 16th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Well, you’re entitled to your opinion as a fully empowered owner of a small business who can hire and fire as he sees fit.
But public employment doesn’t work that way. If it did, we would be back to the spoils system and even more political corruption than you complain about now. The professional civil service was invented late in the 19th century and its basic tenets apply to all but policy advisors and immediate subordinates to the elected officials who serve at the pleasure of the executive. Almost all others, teachers included, have rules for qualifications and retention which may include agreements with organizations representing employees on certain aspects of employment. Although I don’t know the specifics in Rhode Island education, I can speak for the general rules in the federal civil service where unions have almost no power, especially any power at all in compensation, hiring, and firing.
Banning employee organization on principle is throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
February 16th, 2010 at 11:59 am
unions might be useful when the other side is spending their own money. But in public sectors, and in very large almost public (think GM) the result is just waste.
Also public unions are too large and should be broken up, just like any other monopoly.
The professional civil service is one thing. Teachers unions are another.
Fine – you like unions ruining the country. I don’t. I guess we will just disagree.
February 16th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Next step to improve education: Instill a true discipline & grades policy with true consequences for kids and parents.
February 16th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
An equivalent to the Hatch Act is needed for the NEA and AFT at every level of goverment, especialy if public money is deducted to pay union dues. Public employee associations should be barred from lobbying just as the military is constrained.