It’s Not About the Students; Not Even Close


Now that Mayor Emanuel must close down some Chicago schools because of last year’s teacher strike, which added a Herculean burden to the district’s $1 million deficit, the shoe is on the other foot for teacher union officials. Now they are now complaining because some of their members will be laid off due to the financial strain on the school district. This means fewer teachers to force into paying dues for these officials, and less dues dollars means less power. No one should ever accuse teacher union officials of shooting themselves in the foot. Not a word about how students will be affected. Chicago Federation of Teachers President Karen Lewis could only manage a whining question about how spring break could be affected for her members, some of whom should feel lucky to even have a job after Lewis’ strike debacle. Let’s put the blame where it justly lies, on Lewis for calling a strike in the first place.

The Chicago school district needs an organization like stopteacherstrikes.org in Pennsylvania, to work for teachers and taxpayers, parents and students, and teachers who must pay forced dues.

Julia Tavlas has the story in workplacechoice.org.

 

On May 22, 2013 the Chicago Board of Education voted to shut down 50 schools and education programs throughout the Windy City, marking the largest single wave of school closings in the nation’s history. Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis declared it “a day of mourning,” and indeed it was. It was also a day of great irony.

Maybe she should worry less about spring break, and worry more about the children’s education and future. However, demanding expensive contracts from an already poor school distinct clearly demonstrates that the union’s priorities lay elsewhere.

It also demonstrates how left-leaning unions jeopardize even the most cherished liberal causes–such as education funding.

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