Ever since Governor Scott Walker passed Act 10 in 2011, and survived a recall the following year, teachers unions, and other public sector collective bargaining units, have been required to recertify with their members every year, whereas in the past, once a member joined a union (by force), the teacher or other public sector employee was forced to remain in the union for the duration of his or her career.
For the record, teachers deserve representation, and they need protection from unruly school boards, wily administrators, and difficult parents. No other profession combines so many critical elements and steep challenges than the teaching profession.
Yet for all the praise and nobility which Wisconsin teachers receive from their communities, their unions have underrepresented them time and again. Throughout the country, teachers are dealing with larger class sizes, no salary increases (and some harder-hit school districts, less pay), and fewer resources. Teachers unions are not just losing influence in Wisconsin, with the reforms passed by Walker, but also in states like California, where Governor Brown’s new funding formula has taken funds away from higher-achieving schools despite tax increases and a promise to expand local control funding.
Kenosha teachers should be proud of their willingness to hold their union accountable and deny recertification at this time. If unions do represent teachers, then they should be receiving better wages, more stable working conditions, and enhanced prestige and respect. A hearty congratulations to the teachers of Kenosha, Wisconsin, have voted to decertify their teachers’ union.
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