Do we still need a Union?

I must first begin stating that in some way shape and form I have been a highly active member of my state and local association.  I currently serve on the Board of Directors at the state level. But, as I have started on my path towards becoming an administrator I have begun to find myself questioning the motives of the union.  There is a constant outcry from the NEA and the state association over the reformers who may be wishing to privatize education, institute vouchers and expand the reach of charter schools.  Another sacred cow that has come under attack in recent years is teacher tenure.

North Carolina is a right to work state and teachers are the only professionals who work a certain number of years and then are deemed untouchable.  This is not entirely true, a teacher who has tenure can be released, but after extensive paperwork and investigation.  Let me be clear, I am not calling for the willy-nilly firing of educators, but I am saying that human resources and administrators should have the ability to release an educator if he/she is not meeting performance expectations without having to cut through massive amounts of red tape.

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel

Back to the point at hand, does the education profession still need a union?  What, honestly is the actual purpose of the union?  According to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel, we are essential towards developing a stronger profession.  Recently, NEA developed a 3-Point plan for positive reform.  This plan is the first actual step that focuses the NEA on enhancing education.  Before this plan, many could attest that the job of the NEA was to only protect its members despite its vision of "Great Public Schools for Every Child".


This is an issue I personally have been struggling with.  On the state level, the association seems to reacting instead of leading.  The General Assembly will write a bill and NCAE with react because it strikes a blow at one of our sacred cows that we have become comfortable having; be it tenure, longevity or advanced degree pay.  I have yet to see NCAE produce any point plan that states how they will enhance education reform in North Carolina.  All too often, it seems like the association is rallying against the General Assembly fighting for educators' jobs and not attempting to define how we will lead education in the 21st Century.  

This leaves me at an empasse.  We have been working towards building schools that work as collective organisms working as Professional Learning Communities (PLC), and yet have standards and assessments that could have been created by persons who know nothing about authentic learning and assessments.  Therefore, it places education in the hotbed of a politically infused system.  


This is why I am left perplexed.  I am working in a school that is attempting to integrate and become a full-fledged PLC and attempting to break the traditionally fragmented and lone ranger vision of the teaching profession.  Yet, the collective voice that I choose to pay dues to seems to be lacking in the vision of how we will lead the profession.  It has provided excellent professional development for developing better teaching practices, but does not have a clear, defined vision of a "Great Public School for Every Child".  


There has been a mass exodus from the union over the past ten years because of various reasons.  This exodus has caused political players to question NEA's relevance in today's political arena. 

Could this be the new NEA?

 I suppose the conclusion I have reached is that educators should work collectively as one voice, but the guise of a "Great Public School for Every Child" should be back up with a true plan.  We should also be willing to reevaluate our once entitled sacred cows if we are to move education forward in the 21st Century.  This may be a complete reframing and restructuring of the association and a hardline look at what we, as an association value, and stick by that instead of saying one thing and really focusing only on the dollars and cents of health care plans and salary.  (This is not to say that there is not a need to completely restore the epic cuts to public education.)  But, if I am to continue willing give my money to my professional organization I want to see an A-B-C plan that completely lays out the Five W's of our educational reform policy instead of simply waving slogans around, reacting to negative policies and lashing out at those who strive to silence us.  In other words, give those people a reason to listen to the association again.  Otherwise, there will be no union or need for a union.  It will continue to be the child placed in the corner of the room due to his inability to work cooperatively with others.