VIEW: 18-13: Teacher Union Outrage

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson) Number 18-13
Teacher Union Outrage Week of 2018/03/26
In recent weeks the news? media seems to be unable to find something news-
worthy to talk and write about except a union official generated uproar for rather large
salary increases. The amounts demanded appear to have been selected to obtain the
maximum amount of attention brought to the already overtaxed population from whom
the money for the whole government, including its education operation, is obtained. As
more time goes along resulting in more factual information beginning to show up, it
appears to many of us that this is denigrating into a long time typical 'union bullying
operation'. It adversely affects me to the point that sources are deleted where sound is
involved and left sitting where it is in the printed page.
It is even more aggravating to see the looks on faces of those shouting demands
for more and more money. Admittedly my opinion is that for most of history those in
the classroom teaching 'profession' have been embarrassingly underpaid, even from
when my presence was beginning in school. The situation was rather completely
reversed upon reaching the university level however.
It seems to me that those demanding more and quite willing to 'walkout' thus
leaving the 'children' that they otherwise protest they are doing things for really are
ready to use them as pawns. After all, it will be necessary for schools to be in session
longer in the Summer to make up for the lost days. Imagine how much that will
inconvenience those families, some at great expense, because of necessary plan
changes.
On another angle, it is my understanding that each teacher signs a contract for
each year to provide services and so being under contract, a walkout becomes a
'breach of contract' and makes the individual teacher subject to penalties, including
dismissal, for the breach. Of course it has appeared that some of the school officials
are in full support of these improper actions. All this to the detriment of their
'customers' the children.
Notice I do not use the word "Kids" as 'kid' happens to mean 'baby goat'!!
Having reared five such to become prosperous and useful adult citizens, their late
mother and I must have done not too bad a job.
Information has developed in the discussions, at least on air, of the claim of "no
raise for ten years" that turns out to be totally false. If my informants are correct, each
teacher has received an increase each year of her/his service. Admittedly not huge,
but several hundred dollars per year added. Those of us on Social Security certainly
have not seen such, despite increased costs of almost everything. That, of course, is
because of the items being used to determine if an increase is warranted. Also, the
teachers have a rather generous retirement program plus, at least in Oklahoma, a fully
paid medical insurance for life.
In my opinion, the teachers union leaders are pushing this in usual union methodology
but in doing so they are risking the denigration of teaching from a 'profession' to just
another worker position.
Having brought out the wrongfulness of their actions it is proper, in my opinion, to
make a suggestion that has occurred to me. It would certainly reduce the reason for
criticism if instead of a 'walkout' the teachers would each take the time to calculate
the 'per hour' pay according to the hours expected under contract. Then when it is
necessary to work extra hours, as most claim is normal, submit a statement each week,
or month, for the extra time spent, at 'time and a half'. Going public with that would
make much more sense than complaining about low pay and demanding large
immediate increases. It also would be much more 'professional' than the mean talk
and mob actions that are presently on the table.
My memory is quite clear, even 75 years after high school graduation, how the
teachers in Lee, Horace Mann, Central, and the priests at Cascia Hall seemed truly
dedicated to us students. In those days they truly made an effort to see that we
students knew the subject being taught, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this.
Unfortunately, those of us in the classes still breathing have outlived practically all of
our teachers, although a precious few lived long enough to attend the 50 year reunion.
It is my hope, but not expectation, that intelligence and common sense will rise
up and enter into the decision making process. It really appears that the union leaders
are making an effort to stir up unrest. Perhaps the bill in the Oklahoma Legislature that
would mandate union representation elections would have a positive effect on this
situation, for the betterment of the teachers individual positions.
END
Composed March 13, 2018
Robert W. McDowell, Jr. © 2018 841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK 74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com