From: joec@fid.morgan.com (Joe Collins)
Subject: Re: AFT
Organization: None
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 15:46:27 GMT

In article <00714892536@elgamy.sccsi.com> elg@elgamy.sccsi.com (Eric Lee Green) writes:
>From article <1992Aug24.210402.22639@fid.morgan.com>, by joec@fid.morgan.com (Joe Collins):
>> In article <00714263485@elgamy.sccsi.com> elg@elgamy.sccsi.com (Eric Lee Green) writes:
>>>Just thought I'd clear up that misunderstanding.
>>> -- Eric Lee Green (AFT member, and proud of it).
>>
>> Joe Collins (I HAVE to respond - I will *NEVER* belong to a union. I would
>>              rather succeed by my own individual efforts and be rewarded
>>              accordingly.)
>
>When I asked about membership in the HFT (the local affiliate of the AFT),
>I asked "What have they done for teachers?"
>
>Well, here's an example:
>
>At many schools, teachers were being required to work as unpaid
>administrative assistants. Teachers had to fill in as much as 45 minutes
>worth of paperwork every morning, paperwork that could have been done in
>three minutes by a computer or by central office staff if central office
>staff actually worked for a living.

Sounds like they are salaried and need to be flexible, i.e. pitch in where
needed. I am salaried and always pitch in where needed - thats one way to
advance.

>When attempts to remedy this situation via individual teacher action proved
>unsuccessful, the HFT sued the local school district in federal court,
>claiming that their actions were depriving the schoolchildren of a "free
>and appropriate education" as guaranteed by federal law.
>In addition, the TFT (the state affiliate) swiftly moved into action.
>They got the law passed in Austin, and now it's official: a teacher's job
>is to teach. Not to fill in nonsense paperwork invented by central office
>staff who are more intent upon preserving their jobs than educating kids.

Its great that their primary role is to teach but, again - lets all
be flexible towards the common goal. You *never* hear of a private employer
suing his employer to define his job - most employers would toss the
employee out, since we don't have the luxury of tenure. But I gladly give up
job security so that I then have job flexibility, an even better form of
job security.

>I've had to fill out two different kinds of forms since I started my
>current job: the daily attendance report, and my book request cards. That's
>it. There are eight different forms, total, that the law allows the
>administrators to give me. Most of them only need to be turned in once per
>year (like the book request cards, hypothetically).

Sounds very overdone - I fill out one form per year: Health benefits


>If this action had been possible via individual action, I wouldn't have
>been interested. But as long as local school districts hold a virtual
>monopoly on teaching positions (I can't afford to teach at a private
>school), there is a definite place for organizations such as the AFT
>and HFT. 

Why not leave or change careers if it becomes intolerable? 

Local school districts have enormous power over teachers and parents.
I would much rather have it be a cooperative partnership between parents
and teachers and with everyone else excluded.

>So far I have not encountered a situation where the administration
>is reluctant to meet their obligations under local and federal law. If I
>ever do run into such a situation -- such as, for example, if Gloria
>refuses to open the bookroom and give me the books that I need to teach a
>new kid in my class -- it's nice to know that I have this one extra level
>of backup before I advise the kid's parent to contact an advocate (which
>will result in a lawsuit against the school, and probably my dismissal).

>None of this would be a problem if we had school choice, which is why I am
>an advocate of school choice. When schools are responsible for their own
>results and parents can choose accordingly, teachers can choose the schools
>in their area which have a compatible philosophy and be rewarded for
>results accordingly. Right now, though, with the virtual monopoly power
>that public school systems have today, I need any advantage that I can get.

Interesting view point....I want school choice for very different reasons
and we come from different perspectives but we share the same goal.
I still *detest* unions and the whole concept but I see your point.

Anytime I disliked my working conditions or employer, I quit and work
someplace else. I have changed careers at least 4 times in my life and have
worked at three different employers (I am 41 years old). I have choice in
my employer but not in my local schools. Thats crazy!

>--
> Eric Lee Green  elg@elgamy.sccsi.com         Dodson Elementary
> (713) 437-6908  uunet!nuchat!elgamy!elg      Houston, TX
>                "Kids are kids, no matter what"
                  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ <-I wish we all could see the 
                                                  world through the eyes of 
                                                  a child.

Joe Collins
joec@morgan.com


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