What are the benefits of having a teachers union?

Question

What are the benefits of having a teachers union?

Answer 1

I believe that the teachers are protected under the leadership of the union. There has to be something very serious that is done by a teacher BEFORE that teacher is fired. Peace!!!

Answer 2

It is often said that unions keep bad teachers teaching. I don't agree. Unions make is so that I am not fired or 'let go' randomly. I have seen teachers fired, but it was only after giving them an opportunity to improve or after an investigation. I personally do not want to have to worry about getting fired for the least little infraction.

Answer 3

The benefits are pay increase, sick days, personal days, and health benefits. You need to have someone bargaining on your side to demand the things you want and yet compromise to get the things that are most important to you. I, however, have not been in the teacher's union because in major cities I find that it's a waste of my money. Incompetent people who are not using the union fees wisely and poor leadership.  

Answer 4

There are advantages and disadvantages.  One of the biggest advantages is having representation during the performance review process.  I have seen principals misuse the process to get rid of a teacher they just don't get along with.  Union contracts provide a structure for the reviews and usually support for a struggling teacher.   The downside is that some administrators will try to get rid of an unfit teacher by playing games, rather than go through the work of proving a teacher is unfit.  They sometimes switch a teacher's level, say placing the 1st grade teacher in the 6th grade position.  They do these things hoping to run the teacher off, rather than being honest and working with the teacher to correct the problems. I

Another benefit is during a period of layoffs, the way you are chosen for layoff is cut and dry: first hired, last fired.  The process could be done politically if not for that.

Finally, the contracts spell out work rules and hours.  Some charter schools and private schools will require teachers to make themselves available by phone until as late as 9 or 10pm.  Without work rules, you could be punished for helping your own child with his/her homework and not answering the phone in the evening. The contract will also cover details, such as how much time a teacher has to set up a classroom and move items if he or she is involuntarily reassigned to another school due to enrollment or other changes.

Answer 5

There are a lot of issues that aren't safe for teachers to address directly, and for these, it's much better to have a union which can challenge the school system without the fear that they will be discriminated against in the future.

Some of the many issues I've seen unions deal with effectively are:

-Pay issues

-Requiring teachers to report to work without pay (teacher are contract employees required to work normally between 185-190 days and shouldn't be required to report to work 210 days to keep their jobs)

-Overloading classes

-Removing prep time for teachers (a good way to save money, but illegal)

-Understaffing school

-Splitting up classing when teachers are absent rather than hiring substitutes.

These are just a few of the issues that often need to be addressed, but can really cause serious problems for the teachers who try to address them themselves.

Answer 6

My personal opinion is there aren't any benefits. Teachers would get paid better and have better insurance without them. Let the school board help settle disputes.  

Answer 7

I had a situation at school last year and thanks to that I will NEVER complain about my union dues again.  Though i was non-tenured, the union fully supported me through the tenure process when I thought my job was in jeopardy.

Though some say they keep bad teachers teaching, that's just one perspective.

In my view:  They keep good teachers getting the pay and benefits they deserve.  They keep the contract as fair as possible.  They advocate for teacher's.  They keep the good teachers teaching.  They answer questions at any time of the day/year about anything.  They back teachers when their classrooms aren't getting properly cleaned.  They back teachers when the staff lounge is deteriorating.  They back teachers when the air quality starts to go.

Bottom line:  The union keeps it so that I can do my job in the excellent manner in which I've been accustomed to - I need not fear firing, poor working conditions, or lack of administrator support - because I always have my union behind me.

Answer 8

The benefits are primarily having representation to negotiate contracts for better pay, benefits etc. The benefits are directly related to how the union is structured and how accountable the union representatives are to the members of the union.

Answer 9

the union back teachers who are tenured - usually after 3 years of teaching.  the district cannot just let you go unless they have you on something crazy or mandatory cuts are made

I don't know why someone would give me a thumbs down...but that is neither here nor there...my fav. saying these days.  ANYWAY I work on one of the highest paid districts for the past 14 years so i do have a clue.. you would rather work for a district that has a union NO MATTER WHAT> yeah i have had issues where i didn't feel the "UNION" did all it could for me... but in the end I DO GET A SUBSTANTIAL RAISE each and every year PLUS I only work 181 days of the year WITH MEDICAL DENTAL  ALL THOSE VACATIONS!! HELLO??? NEW YORK RETIREMENT SYSTEM.....SORRY BUT MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS DO NEED A UNION!! good luck to you... hope you choose a job where they have one!!!! A BETTER ISSUE  WHO CAN MAKE THIS SUMMER LAST FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER??????????????