Arizona sun., 1947-01-17
Teachers Union Official
Answers Head of n. .E.A.
On Labor Organizations

Answering a statement by DR..
Willard Givens, executive secre-
tary of the National Education As
sociation, opposing organization Of
teachers within the labor move
ment, Irwin r. Kuenzli. national
Secretarv-Treasurer of the Ameri-
can Federation of Teachers stated
last week from Chicago:
"It is encouraging to note that
the National Educational Associ-
alton is taking a more vigorous
stand in defense of the profession
al rights of classroom teachers.
However, I believe that inherent
in DR.. Givens' statement opposing
organization of teachers. as other
skilled workers are organized, is
the fundamental cause of the ma
tionwide crisis facing the public
schools. For more than three
quarters of a century the National
Education Associat ton has advocat-
ed INDEPENDENT teachers asSoci-
ations and has opposed affiliation
of teachers within the labor move
ment of America. Most of the or
ganizations affiliated with the
NEA have been in the nature of
company unions controlled by ad-
S1inistrators, many of whom are
deeply embroiled in local politics.
"The crisis facing American edu-
cation today and the low profess
sional status of teaching are
graphic and tragic evidence of the
failure of such organizations. The
dependence upon statements rath-
er than action and the lack of
strong organization among the
teachers of the nation have brought
about a gradual weakening of the
public school system resulting in
crisis after crisis and eliminating
in the present deplorable situation
which threatens the very security
of our great nation. Had the ma
jority of the teachers of the ma
ton been organized in strong
unions affiliated with organized Ia
Dor and participating in the rich
tradition of the American Fedora
ton of Labor in support of public
education, the crisis facing the
schools today would never have ex-
listed. The organization of teach
ers with such strength that they
are able to fight for American
education, for the children of the
nation and for themselves, is the
only answer to the critical situ-
alton facing the schools. This means
aft. .liation with the labor move
ment of the United States.
1.-THE American Federation of
Teachers has no-strike policy.
Until the deplorable condition in
ST. Paul, Mimi, compelled the
teachers both union and non-union
to strike as a last resort, there
never had been a strike in the his
tory of the American Federation
of Teachers. It is sad comment
on American education that teach
ers were forced into such desper-
ate circumstances that they were
compelled to strike in opposition
to the established policy of the Ma
tional Organization. Our hearts go
out to teachers who suffer such
extreme political exploitation as as
that which existed in St. Paul.
1.-THE provision of adequate fl
nancial support of the schools at
local, state, and federal levels as ad-
vocated by the American Fedora
ton of Labor, is the answer to the
present tendency of teachers to
strike as a last resort in bargaining
for a living wage. The richest na-
ton in the world cannot afford to
neglect the education of its chill
dren. Delinquent schools mean de-
lnquent children and ultimately a
delinquent and insecure nation"