Something To Think About!

There are so many SCARY things going on in our Legislative Buildings right now. We have political parties that are at polar opposites of the agreement table, we have Representatives fleeing the state (which I think is FABULOUS!) and we have many people at odds with one another.

Before this legislative season, I would have never said I paid a bit of attention as to what was going on. Sad I know, but it's true. Reality is currently smacking me in the face, perhaps it's karma coming back around because I haven't paid attention, but it is what it is. Right now, there are many bills being presented that will directly effect me and my family in the very near future.

One such bill is HB 1585. This will eliminate collective bargaining. I am a better teacher because I can bargain...Passing this bill would be a disaster. Here are some points that were recently brought up:

• Teachers have rights with collective bargaining. In non-bargaining classrooms, there is no input, no voice, and no say.
• Teachers need to have a say in what goes on in classrooms. Collective bargaining gives teachers that right.
• Class sizes are limited, teachers sit on curriculum and textbook committees, and that districts have adopted mentoring programs are the result of collective bargaining.
• Ensuring that trained health care specialists provide medical care to students who need it in classrooms is a result of collective bargaining.
• Teachers having supplies, textbooks, and other teaching materials are a result of collective bargaining.
• Classroom climate, appropriate furniture, cleanliness, etc., are a result of collective bargaining.
• Many of the reasons we have collective bargaining in American schools today are to protect women from having a different wage structure from men.
• Collective bargaining is about protecting rights, not protecting bad teachers.
• Collective bargaining is about:
• Fair employment practices, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, marital status, age, weight, political activities, or membership in association or other employment organizations.
• Employment standards and working conditions, ensuring that qualified professionals work with our students.
• Allowing teachers, parents, staff, and students to have a say in curriculum development.
• Giving teachers and school staffs grievance procedures, due process, and just cause for dismissal.
• Giving teachers a say in professional development.
• Encouraging professional growth and advancement.
• Ensuring that staff has a role in school improvement.
• Setting standards of professional responsibility, obligations to students, a code of ethics, obligation to the public, and disciplinary action, if needed.
• Collective bargaining allows teachers to stand up for their students and push for education practices that educate all of our students fairly, equitably, and adequately.

Really, after all of these points, can we afford to get rid of collective bargaining? I don't think so! I know I'll be calling and emailing Representatives...won't you? This will directly effect anyone going to school, working in a school, or sending their kids to school. Something to think about!