Teachers Union Boss Behaves Like a UNION THUG
The childish behavior is only the latest in an ongoing NJEA public relations campaign against Christie because of his decision to cut education funding, including $819 million for next school year, to close the gap on a multi-billion dollar state budget deficit.
Christie cut the current year’s school aid by $415 million, but offered to restore some funding to schools where teachers agreed to wage freezes. Of course, NJEA leaders aren’t happy about the potential concessions, and local union leaders continue to mull the possibility, the Express-Times reports.
Their indecision has forced school administrators across the state to plan for the worse case – massive teacher layoffs, program cuts, and skyrocketing class sizes.
“What they could accomplish by (accepting some concessions) would be saving the jobs of colleagues and programs. This is not an unreasonable request,” Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak told the Express-Times.
There are numerous states including Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, California and others where teachers unions are facing the same situation. So far, most National Education Association affiliates have refused to help, and thousands of young, eager educators are filing into the unemployment office.
We remain amazed and baffled by the stubborn refusal of leaders of the NJEA and other state teachers unions who either don’t understand the gravity of the education funding crisis, or don’t care.
The solution, in their eyes, seems to hinge on more school funding through increased taxes at a time when the public cannot afford it. In most cases, school districts have instituted cuts in virtually every area of the school budget except teacher wages and benefits, which gobble up the vast majority of school funds.
All eyes are now on the teachers unions for help.
Unfortunately, union brass seem more concerned with petty personal attacks and distortion tactics designed to discredit state leaders focused on fiscal responsibility.
“We’re going to be working very hard to convince the legislature the governor’s priorities are the wrong priorities for New Jersey,” NJEA spokesman Steve Baker told the Express-Times.
We find it ironic that union officials like Mr. Baker continue to preach about priorities while racking in hundreds of millions of tax dollars from dues-paying members who are often forced from their jobs because of their union’s stubbornness.
It’s interesting that America’s teachers unions continue to rally on the steps of state capitals to demand more money for public education, while spending a fortune to lobby lawmakers on issues like abortion or gay rights, which have nothing to do with educating kids.
More on State Pensions at the Atlantic
No comments:
Post a Comment