Teacher Union Transgressions

By Larry Sand

Several events of late explain the true nature of the nation’s teachers unions, and it ain’t pretty.

Colorado

Colorado test scores show that 35% of students are proficient in reading and just 28% are proficient in math. Hence, anyone involved with educating our youth in the Centennial State should take note and do their best to make improvements. But the Colorado Education Association, the state affiliate of the National Education Association, has been mum on the issue and recently revealed its true nature.

In late April, the teachers union adopted a resolution damning capitalism. “CEA believes that capitalism requires exploitation of children, public schools, land, labor, and/or resources. Capitalism is in opposition to fully addressing systemic racism (the school to prison pipeline), climate change, patriarchy (gender and LGBTQ disparities), education inequality, and income inequality.”

It is particularly ironic that a teachers union – a group that regularly exploits kids – is pointing fingers at our economic system. If the union was really interested in addressing racism and inequality, it would be backing parental choice, which has been proven to provide better educational opportunities and decrease segregation. But educational freedom, of course, is the worst nightmare for a teachers union.

I will give the CEA kudos for one thing – at least they are forthright commies, unlike so many closeted union lefties.

Oakland

In Oakland, CA, the teachers union has decided to get an early start on its summer vacation. With the last day of school scheduled for May 25, the Oakland Education Association went out on strike on May 4.

Students in Oakland aren’t exactly killing it. In fact, their dreary test scores almost replicate those in Colorado. The 2022 California state standardized test scores revealed that 35% of students are proficient in reading and only 26% are proficient in math.

Teachers are paid well, however. The average total pay is $71,644, and when benefits are included, the sum rises to $95,688. Not bad for 180 days of work. On top of that, the district has offered the union a whopping 22% pay increase plus a $5,000 bonus.

Sounds pretty good, right?

Well, the union refuses to sign off on the offer because their social justice or “common good” demands have gone unmet.

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