From Florida Today
by Fred Bartleson III
A recent letter writer intimated that only unions representing public employees, such as teachers’ unions, were to blame for excessive salaries, benefits, pensions and economic problems.
In truth, teachers’ salaries and health benefits are determined by a school board majority. Even though the union bargains for teachers, if contract talks go to impasse or special master, the school board has the final say.
Pensions, retirement, tenure and bargaining rights are determined by the Florida Legislature and the governor, not the union.
The teachers’ union’s main functions are limited to the role of watchdog for the contract and advocate for teachers in legal and insurance matters.
As far as the powerful teachers’ union lobby? The Florida Legislature’s list of registered lobbyists has not one local, state or national teachers’ union lobbyist recorded. Our school board has one. Our school district’s health insurance provider has 25 lobbyists.
The teachers' union has no power. For those who see unions that represent public employees as the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz,” heed the words of Glynda, the Good Witch of the North. When the Wicked Witch started making threats, Glynda threw back her head, laughed and replied, “Oh rubbish! Be gone! You have no power here!”
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120103/OPINION/111230018/Teachers-unions-don-t-determine-pay-benefits
Amen. And in the area not covered, firing teachers, I have seen more than one "tenured" teacher go sown the road mid year for reasons basically related to the kids didn't like him/her and the parents complained.
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