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CEAFU
INSIDER’S REPORT
A Special Bulletin for Leaders
Concerned Educators Against Forced Unionism
Fall 2004 8001 BRADDOCK ROAD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22160 www.nrtw.org (703) 321-8519
Concerned Educators Against Forced Unionism (CEAFU) has been at the fore-
front in the battle for education reform and against forced unionism abuses in public
education for more than 29 years. CEAFU is a Special Project of the National Right to
Work Legal Defense and Education Foundation, Inc. The Foundation is a nonprofit,
charitable organization providing free legal aid to teachers and other employees whose
human or civil rights have been violated by abuses of compulsory unionism.
of its kind, CEAFU has served professional alternatives to teacher
and always will serve the union membership, and teacher
needs of teachers who cherish union bosses were well on their
their freedom and indepen- way to realizing their dream “ . . . of
dence. controlling who enters, who stays,
Why does CEAFU exist? and who leaves the [teaching] pro-
A Special Project of the fession,” as past NEA president
National Right to Work Legal George Fischer declared in 1970.
Defense and Education CEAFU is the only education
Foundation, Inc., CEAFU was reform group to directly confront
established in 1975 to “take the issue of forced unionism.
dead aim at one of the most continued, next page
serious threats to academic
freedom in America today –
compulsory unionism.” ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
In 1959, Wisconsin legisla- 3 CEAFU’s 29th Annual
Conference Featured
tors passed the first bill forcing Prominent Reform Speakers
teachers to accept the monop-
5 US Department of Labor
oly representation of the Investigates NEA’s Political
Connie Kilday, an 18-year veteran educator National Education Spending
and former Association of Texas Professional Association (NEA) or 6 Teacher Union Political
Educators official, is a staunch defender of Activity Remains High
teacher freedom.
American Federation of
Teachers (AFT) unions. All 7 America Learns How NEA’s
Why Your Support of teachers are forced to endure the New Organization is Funded
CEAFU Matters strictures of the union monopoly 8 No Room for Diversity in NEA
contract, regardless of whether they Republican Caucus
As CEAFU rapidly approaches find them to be beneficial or not. Do Teacher Unions Speak for
its 30th birthday, our staff would Other states quickly followed, and Their Members?
like to take this opportunity to today teachers in 44 states are 9 Foundation Helps Free Grad
thank you for your unflagging sup- required to endure some form of Students from Compulsory
Unionism
port for the program over the years exclusive representation by NEA or
and ask for your continued support AFT affiliates. 10 AFT’s Sandra Feldman
Resigns
of our program. The only program Before 1975, teachers had no
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report -2-
career she obviously loved, she said, (ATPE) once said, “I get down on
“It became apparent that my perfor- my knees and thank God every day
mance was not the important issue, we are a Right to Work state and we
but rather the compliance with don't have [exclusive] bargaining.”
‘agency shop.’ I do not approve of She went on to say that she appreci-
forcing free people to do anything ated the freedom of association
against their will. The basic tenets ATPE guaranteed so much on a per-
upon which this nation was founded sonal level, but that it also made
find that idea abhorrent.”1 recruiting members so much easier,
because they were not compelled to
join ATPE for any other reason than
Forced unionism drives because they wanted to.
professionals out of teaching Although the importance of other
education reform groups is a given,
Charlene believed her enthusi- their focus is not on addressing com-
asm, training, and values would pulsory unionism, promoting a
Charlene Sciambi, a 13-year veteran
speak for her teaching performance. Right to Work law, or eliminating
teacher, resigned her teaching position
rather than pay forced dues. “But,” she said, “it seems a third exclusive representation laws.
party was hired to ‘protect’ me and The public must be made aware
Teacher union officials and left me playing the role of a beggar that teacher freedom will not survive
monopoly bargaining agreements at the union's back door. I didn't if monopoly bargaining continues to
affect teachers’ working environ- need the union for anything. I stood prevail – charter schools, vouchers,
ment. Educators have a unique job on my performance.” and teacher certification notwith-
description in many ways, particu- Of her farewell letter to her stu- standing. Without CEAFU, free-
larly when it comes to defining mea- dents, she said, “I wrote a letter to dom for teachers is lost until com-
surable outcomes of performance. my students when I resigned so that pulsory unionism has been eradicat-
Our focus is more on enabling they would know the truth. I always ed. This may seem a minor differ-
teachers to do their jobs without spoke the truth to them, and I cared ence, but a very major one in the
encumbering their efforts with that they would understand my rea- lives of those involved.
labyrinthine rules on what they can sons and not be deceived. As I told CEAFU supports all freedom-
and cannot do in the classroom, them then, I believe there are sacred loving teachers: those who choose
courtesy of bargaining agreements. relationships in life, and I had shared to remain independent and unassoci-
The biggest challenge, of course, one. ated, or those who belong to a pro-
is helping teachers to envision how “The relationship between fessional educator association, and
much better they will be able to teacher and student takes on its own those who are forced to support
function without these rules; most very special character that includes teacher unions.
teachers today have never known a caring, friendship, and trust. They Independent educator groups rely
system without bargaining and the deserve to be taught by those who on CEAFU to fight on the front line,
environment it creates where bar- merit their respect. working to sustain them while at the
gaining is allowed. “My employer is confiscating my same time working to eliminate
Charlene Sciambi resigned her wages without my permission, and compulsory unionism. These inde-
teaching position rather than be that is the status of a slave. How can pendent educator groups hold out
forced to pay dues. A 13-year veter- I return to you in September and the vision of education without com-
an of California schools, Mrs. teach you to stand tall as a free man pulsory unionism.
Sciambi was named “Foreign or woman if I cannot?” These professional educator
Language Teacher of the Year” in Mrs. Connie Kilday, former offi- groups face the challenges of exclu-
1983. When asked why she cer in the nonunion Association of sive representation every day. The
resigned after such a successful Texas Professional Educators vast majority of them do not have
1"Agency Shop," Charlene Sciambi, CEAFU pamphlet.
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report -3-
the funds or manpower to challenge and independent professional Intelligence Agency, concluded his
bargaining in any other way except teacher groups to learn about recent specially prepared confidential
that which they are doing now: pro- developments in the program and to insider report to CEAFU guests by
viding an alternative to labor learn best practices for keeping commenting on what might be done
unions. compulsory unionism at bay. to combat teacher union power.
“The NEA is a big [education]
blob and it will run you over or
CEAFU reinforces indepen- Deputy Secretary of smother you if you get under it as it
dent education movement Education keynotes rolls downhill. But you can find
ways to go around it and succeed in
And of course, the NEA and While CEAFU supports all avoiding it.”
AFT teacher unions’ two biggest teachers whose rights have been
assets are funds and manpower. compromised as a result of compul-
Teacher union officials have sory unionism, statewide indepen- Leaders of independent
commandeered teachers’ rights at dent teacher groups represent a educator groups attend
work. Independent professional large, viable alternative to teacher
educator groups depend on CEAFU unions that many teachers have CEAFU advanced in its goal to
to act as the barrier between them chosen. Leaders from 17 nonunion arm education leaders to succeed,
and compulsory unionism. professional educator groups and with a great line-up of speakers for
When teachers can concentrate many other individual teachers this year’s conference.
on their work, with no fear of inter- came from across the United States Deputy Secretary of Education
ference from restrictive bargaining to this year’s conference, in Eugene Hickok opened the confer-
rules, they are free to carry on the Washington, DC, on June 15 and ence with a look at the future of
work they were hired for, the busi- June 16. education reform. He warmly wel-
ness at hand: CHILDREN. At the recent conference, special comed teacher professionals from
There is a popular saying, “If keynote speaker Mike Antonucci, across the country who work to
you want peace, work for justice.” Director of the Education carry out the business of educating
If you want education reform, work students.
for freedom for teachers; end exclu- He noted that his first encounter
sive representation and compulsory with teacher unions was as a school
unionism. board member in Pennsylvania.
The Keystone state, like 19 others
and the District of Columbia, is
CEAFU's 29th Annual yoked with mandatory monopoly
Conference Featured bargaining laws. In many districts,
Prominent Reform teachers must either join the union
Speakers or pay almost full dues as a condi-
tion of employment.
The National Education The Deputy Secretary empha-
Association and American sized his Department's commitment
Photo by Linda Staulcup
Federation of Teachers have vowed to all teachers and thanked
to make forced unionism a way of CEAFU’s guests for being con-
life for teachers. Teacher union cerned about their profession, the
officials’ power has eclipsed the students, and the educational insti-
power of the individual teacher in tutions they serve. He asked their
paving the way for education Eugene Hickok, Deputy Secretary, help in identifying issues that would
reform. United States Dept. of Education, better serve these institutions.
expressed his admiration for indepen-
CEAFU's annual conference is dent teachers and thanked CEAFU Deputy Secretary Hickok spoke
the venue for education reformers members for their efforts. of being surprised and saddened by
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report - 4-
how quickly teachers become some Denholm also explored the relation-
faceless group in a bargaining unit. ship between the rise of unions and
The Deputy Secretary’s conclud- technological development. He
ing remarks reflected how any emphasized the importance of
forced action is the antithesis of teacher quality and continuing pro-
freedom, and if America stands for fessional development to allow
anything, it stands for individual teachers to hone and enhance their
rights. skills.
Mr. Denholm described his
Photo by Linda Staulcup
vision of a district where the super-
National columnist intendent hired only teachers who
addresses conclave had been state teachers of the year,
where everyone would receive the
Deroy Murdock, nationally syn- best education possible, teachers
dicated Scripps-Howard columnist, Deroy Murdock, Scripps-Howard News would not feel the need for “protec-
has entered the fray of education Service nationally syndicated columnist, tion” from their employers, and par-
applauds CEAFU members’ involve-
reform. Not content with simply ment in active education reform.
ents would be satisfied with their
writing about the havoc teacher children’s education.
union officials have caused in edu- you to have the freedom – to say
cation, Mr. Murdock helped lead the where your money goes.”
education reform movement in the Participants briefed on ongo-
Nation’s Capital, amidst one of the ing corruption investigations
most egregious teacher union scan- Attendees learn media and recruitment strategies
dals in history. relations skills
In his remarks, Mr. Murdock Landmark Legal Foundation
counseled CEAFU key leaders to Hugh Newton, a seasoned media President Mark Levin revealed
showcase differences between pro- relations expert in the Washington, unique insights into the NEA
fessional educator groups and DC area, shared the secrets of his teacher union officials' agenda.
teacher union officials; to present a success – how to pitch stories to the The Landmark Legal Foundation
vision of how teachers' lives would media, and develop relationships, unearthed evidence that the NEA
change if each teacher had a choice and get the word out about the orga- parent affiliate has engaged in polit-
regarding union membership; and nization’s work. ical activity without reporting the
to use anecdotal evidence to show Stefan Gleason, Vice President resulting expenditures to the
that not all teachers march to the of the National Right to Work Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as
beat of teacher union officials’ Foundation, who has dramatically required by law. The NEA has
drums. expanded the Foundation’s promo- recently admitted publicly that it is
Reflecting upon his experience tion of Right to Work using newspa- being audited by the IRS.
in Washington, DC, Mr. Murdock per, media, and radio, followed up According to Mr. Levin, recent
emphasized the value of working Mr. Newton’s comments by changes in the requirements for
with active school reform groups, divulging the secret of the recording of union financial activi-
legal foundations, and policy Foundation media program's suc- ties may unearth new instances of
groups, to join as co-plaintiffs in cess. improper use of dues by teacher
lawsuits against egregious teacher Public Service Research union officials. National Right to
union officials' actions. Foundation President David Work Foundation attorneys helped
His most important advice, how- Denholm shared the results of a craft the new disclosure rules and
ever, was to remind teachers of the Zogby poll on the nation's attitude are now defending them from AFL-
manifest unfairness of compulsory towards unions, and he explained CIO attack in Federal court.
unionism, teacher union officials’ the stranglehold public employee Rhea Blanken of Results
actions saying – “No, we don't want unions have on lawmakers. Mr. Technology, Inc., presented an
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report -5-
interactive workshop on member- There is currently no requirement money spent for the 1998 election
ship development, emphasizing how that political activity expenses be cycle.3
the professional education associa- detailed, but Department of Labor Robert Chanin, NEA General
tion leader can position his or her officials have made a number of Counsel, declared, “We believe we
association to meet the needs of spe- changes to the form that will force reported all political expenditures
cific groups of teachers. labor union officials to provide more properly. We concealed nothing. I
While many other speakers were detailed information beginning with am confident we'll get a clean bill of
featured at the two-day conference, disclosure forms filed in mid-2005. health and be able to move on.”4
CEAFU's schedule of keynote Previous Insider's Reports have
speakers was specially tailored to detailed sections of the NEA's
meet the needs of education reform Strategic Plan and Budgets, which Experts estimate teacher
leaders who face the challenge of clearly indicate that teacher union unions spend $100 million on
confronting teacher union coercive officials spent dues dollars for polit- election
power everyday. All speakers ical purposes. For instance, in the
focused on independent educator 1998 budget, NEA teacher union Chanin’s declaration is belied by
groups as a viable alternative to officials set aside $1,039,660 for his words of 2000, when he
teacher union membership. NEA's Policy Agenda, providing for declared, “So you tell me how I can
the maintenance of a PAC, identify- possibly separate NEA’s collective
ing supportive candidates, legisla- bargaining efforts from politics –
US Department of Labor tive strategy, etc. Another compo- you just can’t. It’s all politics.”5
Investigates NEA's nent of the budget allowed The Department of Labor investi-
Political Spending $3,249,354 for “Member gation constitutes the second inquiry
Mobilization for Pro-education into NEA political activity in the
After two years of silence, NEA Candidates and Issues,” and an addi- past four years. In 2000, the
teacher union officials confirmed tional $2,221,905 for support of can- Landmark Legal Foundation filed a
that United States Department of didates.2 complaint with the Internal Revenue
Labor officials are investigating the Yet NEA teacher union officials Service. The IRS subsequently
NEA’s political spending. The NEA reported only $1.8 million in PAC began an investigation into
retains tax-exempt status under IRS Landmark’s allegations that NEA
rules, but is required to report "direct teacher union officials spent mil-
and indirect" political expenses. lions of dollars on political activity,
Any union that represents private but failed to report any expenses on
sector employees must file an annu- their tax returns. The IRS audit is
al disclosure form with the not expected to conclude until
2006.6
Photo by Linda Staulcup
Department of Labor, detailing
financial information such as assets, Education Intelligence Agency
liabilities, receipts, and disburse- Director Mike Antonucci, reporting
ments. The report currently covers on the first day of the NEA conven-
disbursement amounts to officers tion, reported “several written ques-
and employees for expense cate- tions were passed to the budget com-
gories, such as office expenses, trav- Landmark Legal Foundation President mittee concerning NEA's IRS audit
el, communications, promotion and Mark Levin (left), pictured here with and the U.S. Department of Labor
advertising, and it details loans or CEAFU Key Leader Faye Beyer, recount- investigation, including, ‘When will
ed his organization’s battle to expose
grants made to state and local affili- NEA teacher union officials’ unautho- this be publicized to our mem-
ates. rized dues expenditures. bers?’”7
2"Strategic Plan and Budget for 1997-1998," The National Education Association
3 "Public Sector Unions," Open Secrets Online, www.opensecrets.org
4"NEA Political Expenses Investigated," The Associated Press, Fox News Channel, www.foxnews.com, 3/4/04
5"Unions Pull Out Stops for Elections," Jeff Archer, Education Week, 11/2/00
6"NEA Political Expenses Investigated," The Associated Press, Fox News Channel, www.foxnews.com, 3/4/04
7"Bits and Pieces," Mike Antonucci, Communiqué, http://www.eiaonline.com, 7/03/04
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report -6-
Teacher Union Political fewer than 7,600 voted on the dues
Activity Remains High issues.”13
NEA teacher union officials
Despite his last-minute failure to implored convention delegates to
appear at their 2004 convention, host “house parties” on September
nearly 10,000 NEA teacher union 22 to provide a forum for teacher
delegates voted 7,390 to 1,153 to union officials to persuade union
endorse Senator John Kerry (D- members, face to face, to support
MA) for President. the NEA’s endorsed candidates.
NEA president Reg Weaver During their biennial convention
warned Democrats, “Don’t take us in July, AFT teacher union officials
for granted.”8 also purported to speak for 1.3 mil-
Approximately 25 percent of lion teachers in endorsing Senator
NEA’s members identify them- Kerry. Like the NEA, AFT teacher
selves as Republican. union officials sent scores of paid
Weaver also declared, “I’m try- Reg Weaver, National Education staff to the most contested states and
ing to activate our members. I'm Association President, perpetuates the assigned volunteers to campaign for
corrupt tradition of spending forced Senator Kerry.
about mobilizing and stimulating dues for politics.
our folks so that the school union's
political activism ‘takes center school year, a total of $30 million
stage’ for the remainder of the pres- over the next six years. NEA supports far-left
idential campaign.”9 Democrats hostile to indepen-
NEA teacher union officials’ dent educators
Fund for Children and Public Unprecedented sums of
Education (Political Action forced dues cash poured into AFT teacher union officials fun-
Committee) has the distinction of 2004 election neled $5 million during the 2002
being the third largest political con- election cycle, mostly to
tributor, making $23.4 million in Members were asked to donate Democrats.14
contributions since 1989.10 Most of $20 to the NEA PAC, Fund for Again following in NEA teacher
the funds went to Democratic candi- Children and Public Education, to union officials’ footsteps, AFT offi-
dates. In 2003 alone, NEA teacher view the film “Fahrenheit 9/11” cials established the Solidarity
union officials budgeted a record during the convention. Weaver stat- Fund in 2002. The separate assess-
$20 million in donations to ed the screening was donated by its ment for members and forced dues
Democrat legislators.11 producer Michael Moore to help the payors, funds ballot initiatives and
NEA Convention delegates union raise more political funds.12 state and local political candi-
passed bylaw amendments which Education Intelligence Agency dates.15
will fund the Ballot Director Mike Antonucci noted, The fund has gathered almost $9
Initiative/Legislative Crisis Fund “There was one other number of million since its inception, more
and Media Campaign Fund. The interest that NEA members back than half of which has been used by
extra assessment will increase by $1 home might want to mention to del- the national affiliate. A full $3 mil-
per member per year until it reaches egates when they return. lion has been set aside for ‘member
$10 at the beginning of the 2009-10 Ultimately, 9,131 delegates regis- education and programs in support
tered for this year’s convention, but of 2004 election efforts.’16
8"Kerry Cancels on NEA Convention," George Archibald, Washington Times, 7/7/04
9"Teachers Union Calls for Defeat of Bush," George Archibald, Washington Times, 7/5/04
10"Teachers Unions Name Kerry a Price," June Kronholz, Wall Street Journal, 7/28/04
11"John Kerry Sells Out to Big Education," Armstrong Williams, Townhall Online, www.townhall.com, 6/29/04
12"Teachers Union Calls for Defeat of Bush," George Archibald, Washington Times, 7/5/04
13"Dues Increase for Ballot Initiative and Media Funds Passes," Mike Antonucci, Communiqué, http://www.eiaonline.com, 7/07/04
14"Teachers Unions Name Kerry a Price," June Kronholz, Wall Street Journal, 7/28/04
15"Solidarity Fund To Mimic that of NEA," Communiqué, http://www.eiaonline.com, 7/15/02
16"AFT Resolutions to Watch For," Communiqué, http://www.eiaonline.com, 7/14/04
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report -7-
Since AFT belongs to the numbers of 4.2 million, teacher costs; national affiliate officials
American Federation of Labor and unions are able to mobilize a politi- would allow funds to be taken from
Congress of Industrial cal army unlike any other. NEA sent the union's general fund, the PAC
Organizations (AFL-CIO), AFT 285 delegates to the Democratic fund, or from outside donations.
members and agency fee payors National Convention in July, and the Traditionally, 80 percent of the
must also contribute to this national AFT sent 130.18 Altogether, union $5 million in dues dollars is budget-
affiliate. members composed 12 percent of all ed for a media campaign fund, but
The AFL-CIO levies a four per- delegations. this year NEA teacher union offi-
cent per capita tax, about $6 million cials funnelled $1.8 million from the
annually, on federation affiliates. NEA Fund for Children and Public
This new tax will remain in effect America Learns How Education (Political Action
until March, 2005, and represents a NEA's New Organization Committee) into CQE. 19
doubling of the 4-cent increase leg- is Funded Some affiliates have followed
islated in March, 2002. These through and turned over their $1 per
increases mean every AFT member NEA teacher union officials have capita assessment. The Delaware
and agency fee payor must pay near- devised another plan to seize more State Education Association has
ly $2 to the AFL-CIO for special dues dollars from teachers in the raised its dues to cover the amount
political projects each year. name of improving public educa- of the donation.20
AFL-CIO Organizing Director tion. The problem is the money is CQE has run television ads criti-
Karen Ackerman divulged that the being taken on the sly for purposes cizing The No Child Left Behind
AFL-CIO will make an unprece- NEA members and agency fee pay- Act in Arizona, Ohio, Florida,
dented drive to bombard union ors may not sanction. Nevada, and Pennsylvania. The
member households with political America Learns, an Internal advertisements mostly feature
propaganda. Union officials passed Revenue Service 501(c)(4)-desig- teacher union officials who preside
out 17 million leaflets, made 5 mil- nated “social welfare organization,” over state and local affiliates in their
lion phone calls, and mailed 15 mil- was established earlier this year. respective states.21
lion pieces of literature during the Its purported goal is to educate America Learns board members
2000 campaign, and an even larger people about the Elementary and
effort is being made this year.17 Secondary Education Act (No Child
It is the tremendous amount of Left Behind). The organization is
in-kind political activities that now known as Communities for
makes these actual spending figures Quality Education (CQE). Earlier
seem even more outrageous. So- this year, NEA teacher union offi-
called “in-kind” political contribu- cials had put out a call to all states,
tions cannot be easily tracked encouraging them to sue the govern-
because no cash actually changes ment over lack of funding for the No
hands, but the services performed Child Left Behind Act.
Photo by Linda Staulcup
are invaluable in the election of a Education Intelligence Agency
candidate. These significant contri- Director Mike Antonucci discovered
butions come in the form of such that the bulk of the funding for this
political activities as staffing phone new advocacy organization comes
banks, leafleting neighborhoods, from NEA teacher union members
and registering and getting voters to and agency fee payors. State affili-
the polls. Stefan Gleason, Vice President, National
ates were asked to chip in yet anoth- Right to Work Legal Defense
With combined membership er $1 per member to defray startup Foundation.
17"AFL-CIO Plans to Spend $44 Million to Fund Labor Effort for 2004 Elections," Daily Labor Report Online, #47, 3/11/04
18"Teacher Unions Name Kerry a Price," June Kronholz, Wall Street Journal, 7/28/04
19"New NEA Political Group to Influence What 'America Learns,'" Communiqué, http://www.eiaonline.com, 3/29/04
20"'America Learns' Gets a Name Change", Communiqué, http://www.eiaonline.com, 5/10/04
21"NEA Front Group Airs Ads in Four States," Communiqué, http://www.eiaonline.com, 6/7/04
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report -8-
also serve in executive positions Do Teacher Unions board is a conflict of interest with
with the parent organization or a Speak for Their his position as NEA’s top lobbyist.
state affiliate, including the deputy Members? NEA Sissy Jochman, a second-grade
general counsel.22 Sponsorship of teacher from Pittsburgh who serves
Noneducational Issues as the chairman of the Conservative
Riles Instead of Rallies Educators Caucus, called for NEA
No Room for Diversity in officials to “simply get out of the
NEA Republican Caucus Some Members
abortion issue altogether… Our
NEA teacher union officials union needs to stick to education,”
During the annual convention,
stoked the ire of thousands of she said.24
militant NEA Republican Caucus Because NEA teacher union offi-
schoolroom teachers and support
members chased Chairwoman cials continue to act upon these res-
personnel by co-sponsoring a pro-
Dianne Lenning from her position. olutions calling for “reproductive
abortion march in Washington, DC
To them, Lenning's “sin” was not an freedom” (including abortion),
this year. On April 18, they opened
insignificant one. thousands of teachers are forced to
the NEA’s well-appointed headquar-
NEA teacher union officials support causes that run contrary to
ters to participants in the March for
selected Kevin Jennings, founder of their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Freedom of Choice, providing
the Gay Lesbian and Straight
refreshments and a resting place for
Education Network (GLSEN), to
marchers in the rally.
receive the Virginia Uribe Award for More religious objectors are
However, calls for teacher union
Creative Leadership in Human going public
officials to open the building to
Rights at the annual convention pro-
marchers for the March for Life
ceedings. Foundation Attorney Bruce
have fallen on deaf ears.
Despite the fact that many NEA Cameron has represented many
members sought to have Resolution teachers whose requests for reli-
Jennings failed to report gious accommodation were either
I.12, Family Planning, overturned,
suspected child abuse turned down or unnecessarily
last year's Representative Assembly
refused to remove it from the books.
Mr. Jennings had violated a law
These delegates continue to purport
requiring teachers to report suspect-
to speak for all members and to pro-
ed child abuse by failing to report
claim their public opposition to
such an incident to proper authori-
restrictions on even the most egre-
ties. The incident came to light
gious abortion methods.
when he published a book and
revealed that a 16-year-old male stu-
dent had sought his advice after an
Union hierarchy seems
affair with an older man.
obsessed with hot-button Photo by Linda Staulcup
Mrs. Lenning wrote a letter to
social issues
top NEA officials questioning the
ethics of bestowing an award on a
Chief NEA Lobbyist Randall J.
teacher who had apparently not put
Moody served on the Planned
the safety of a student before all
Parenthood board of directors from
else. Members of the Republican
1995 until 2002, and remains co- Mike Antonucci, Director, Education
caucus who concurred with the
chairman of Planned Parenthood Intelligence Agency, entertains and
selection voted 31-18 to hound Mrs.
Republicans for Choice. Many informs CEAFU conference guests with
Lenning from office for her public
NEA members believe Mr. Moody's predictions about teacher union offi-
criticism of prominent NEA teacher cials’ activities.
service on the Planned Parenthood
union officials.23
22"New NEA Political Group to Influence What 'America Learns,'" Communiqué, http://www.eiaonline.com, 3/29/04
23"NEA Republicans Alter Rules to Oust Their Leader," George Archibald, Washington Times, 7/6/04
24"Pro-life Teachers Angered by March," George Archibald, Washington Times, 4/19/04
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report -9-
delayed. In addition, religious Defense Foundation at
objectors in Michigan face an inqui- www.nrtw.org or (800) 336-3600.
sition before a union official tribunal You may also e-mail the Foundation
to defend their beliefs. at info@nrtw.org. Please share this
For example, Shawn Austin, a information with your colleagues.
part-time school transportation sec-
retary in Saranac Community
Schools District, Michigan, was Foundation Helps Free
ordered to appear before a four- Grad Students from
member committee of local union Compulsory Unionism
officials to convince NEA teacher
Photo by Linda Staulcup
union officials of her “bona-fide For most teachers and graduate
religious-objector status.” students, the summer months are
Mrs. Austin was forced to attend filled with thoughts of things other
the meeting despite the fact the than school. However, for the past
union had no objective reason to three years, graduate students work-
question her religious sincerity. She ing as teaching assistants (TAs) at Long-time independent educator leader
suspected that her local NEA presi- private universities have found from Indiana, Jane Ping, pictured here
with CEAFU Director Cathy Jones,
dent was being directed by a state themselves faced with the same bur- received CEAFU’s Friend of Freedom
UniServ director who oversees bar- den of coercion many teachers face: Award for her years of tireless servce.
gaining and other problems with join or support a labor union to get
local unions. or keep your job. past three years, Tufts, Brown,
After Mrs. Austin submitted to However, agreeing with the posi- Columbia, and the University of
the union inquisition, the NEA tion taken by Foundation attorneys Pennsylvania have brought cases
agreed to accomodate her by allow- in an amicus curiae (“friend of the before the NLRB regarding the
ing her to redirect her entire union court”) brief, the National Labor unionization of their graduate stu-
fee amount to the Saranac Relations Board (NLRB) recently dents.
Scholarship Fund. ruled that, because TAs are admitted Under the Clinton administra-
“Every organization – associa- into, rather than hired by, universi- tion, precedents going back 25 years
tion, political party, and church – ties, they are students in, rather than were reversed when an NLRB
has significant numbers of members employees of, the institution. On majority ruled that graduate teach-
who do not agree with every policy July 13, 2004, the NLRB overturned ing assistants and research assis-
item… That is the greatness of an a ruling that has created havoc over tants, are employees and constitute
open, democratic organization such the past three years in private col- an appropriate unit for collective
as ours,” Michael Pons, NEA leges and universities across the bargaining.26
spokesman, claimed.25 country. The recent case involved Brown
The difference is, of course, that The Board majority declared: University, in Providence, Rhode
members of other associations – “there is a significant risk, and Island, where about 450 graduate
such as political parties and church- indeed a strong likelihood, that the teaching and research assistants
es – are not forced to join or support collective-bargaining process will faced an organizing drive by the
those organizations against their be detrimental to the educational United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
will. process.” Graduate students at private uni-
If you know of a teacher who For decades before 2001, student versities provide an obvious target
believes his views are being violated teaching assistants had been consid- for union organizers. Declining
by being forced to contribute to a ered first and foremost students, not membership, especially in the past
teacher union, please contact the employees, and therefore not subject 10 years, in both public and private
National Right to Work Legal to collective bargaining laws. In the labor unions has caused union orga-
25"Pro-life Teachers Angered by March," George Archibald, Washington Times, 4/19/04
26New York University, 332 NLRB 1205 (2000) (NYU)
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report - 10 -
Philip Wheeler, UAW’s director grades, in 1963.
for New York and New England, Of her first teaching experience,
commented upon the ruling, “I Ms. Feldman insisted she identified
understand that they say it would be with the students, but , “ . . I had no
too disruptive to the great American training, and I soon lost complete
education system… Once upon a control of the class. I concluded
time, they said that unionizing that, if I was going to keep on teach-
would be too disruptive for ing, I better learn how.”31
American manufacturing…”29 Upon taking the job, she immedi-
Yet, American manufacturing ately became the second member of
has seen the loss of 3.5 million the United Federation of Teachers
union jobs in the past 20 years, part- (UFT), AFT's New York City local
ly due to the crippling effects of affiliate. Within a year the entire
compulsory unionism. During the staff of Manhattan’s P.S. 34 had
same time frame, nonunion manu- been organized, and by 1966 she
facturing jobs increased by over half was hired as a full-time field repre-
Edward J. McElroy, president of the
American Federation of Teachers, plans a million. sentative by AFT president and
to follow in the footsteps of his two pre- founder, the late Al Shanker.
decessors, Sandra Feldman and Al In 1974, Mr. Shanker was elected
Shanker.
AFT's Sandra Feldman president of the parent AFT affiliate,
nizers to look in some unusual Retires but retained his title as president of
places for workers to represent. the United Federation of Teachers
Those employed by private univer- Retiring in July 2004, AFT (UFT). Dissatisfied with the
sities could be subject to the President Sandra Feldman asserted, amount of attention they received
National Labor Relations Act. “There is nothing I have ever done from president Shanker, UFT mem-
Student employees at state-support- as a union leader which has not been bers elected Ms. Feldman in 1986.
ed schools may be subject to the good for kids.” She added that the Of this time, she says, “It was a
public employee laws that prevail in union, “ . . . despite popular myth, very exciting time. There were
their respective states. does not want incompetent teachers strikes and demonstrations and all
in the classroom.” Let the record the growing pains of a union.”32
speak for itself. By 1992, Sandra Feldman was in
Grad students were seen as A native of New York City, control of the largest political power
another cash cow Feldman began to take an interest in in New York City. Union-backed
socialist politics in the 1950s, while legislators and other influential offi-
AFT and UAW union officials attending Brooklyn College. The cials clamored for changes in school
have been most active in organizing former AFT president described one governance, and experimented with
efforts among graduate student of her “proudest moments” as “. . . school-based management, ostensi-
workers. her arrest for trying to integrate a bly ceding power to the individual
Newly elected AFT president Howard Johnson restaurant. . .”30 principals and schools.
Edward McElroy called the recent Ms. Feldman often speaks of her
decision “outrageous” at the AFT’s love for schools and children, but
biennial convention in July.27 The only actually taught for three years. Feldman helped destroy
AFT represents approximately While working on a master’s degree teacher professionalism
150,000 faculty members, including in Literature at New York
12,000 graduate assistants, across University, Ms. Feldman took a reg- Alternative governance struc-
the country.28 ular job teaching first and third tures were proposed by the Mayor
27" Board Overturns TA's Union Membership," The Associated Press, New York Times, www.newyorktimes.com, 7/16/04
28"US Labor Board Rules on Graduate Teaching Assistants' Union," Dow Jones Newswires, Wall Street Journal, www.wsj.com, 7/15/04
29"Labor Board Says Graduate Students at Private Universities Have No Right to Unionize," Steven Greenhouse and Karen W. Arenson, New York Times, www.newyorktimes.com, 7/16/04
30"In Schools Crisis, Union's Opportunity," Elizabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 9/29/95
31"Molded in Schools, She Helps Mold Them," M. A. Farber, New York Times, 3/7/91
32"Fighting All My Life," Ann Bradley, Education Week, 10/1/97
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report - 11 -
and other officials, but Ms. Feldman his arrest, conviction, and prison coming in for the kill,” former
refused to consider them. New York sentence for selling cocaine. Mayor Edward I. Koch declared.35
Times reporter Joseph Berger specu- Special education teacher Jay The Citizens Budget Commission
lated that president Feldman’s con- Dubner continued to collect his (CBC) of New York, a privately
trol of 300,000 dues-paying teachers teacher salary throughout five years funded watchdog group operating
kept many state legislators from tak- of incarceration. Additionally, the for over 60 years, commissioned a
ing legislative action: “Legislators disciplinary proceedings cost the study which unearthed shocking
said fundamentally changing the school district almost $200,000, and abuse and fraud. Their 1995 study
boards’ structure without the support Mr. Dubner retained his tenure eligi- revealed that New York City public
of the union would be unimagin- bility. high school teachers spent only 64
able.” The New York State School percent of a 6-hour and 20-minute
Senator Guy J. Velella, a member Board Association determined that day in the classroom. The remaining
of the Senate Education Committee, disciplinary cases in New York cost time was spent “allocated to tasks
in 1992 declared, “It would be school districts an average of other than direct classroom instruc-
absurd to think you would go about a $194,520 and took 476 days to pros- tion,” such as union activities.
major change like that without hav- ecute.34 During Ms. Feldman’s The study compared the city’s
ing UFT input and UFT support.”33 reign as chief teacher negotiator, schools to comparable urban dis-
New York City boasted 158 teachers tricts, such as Los Angeles and
and 18 other educators with tenure Chicago, where teachers spent 20
New York imposes mandatory who were being investigated on dis- percent more time in the classroom.
forced dues statewide ciplinary charges. The report indicated that $246 mil-
In 1993, Ms. Feldman authorized lion was spent on non-classroom
Teacher union officials persuaded an illegal strike, forcing members time, including time for union busi-
state legislators to grant them total and forced-dues payors to choose ness.36
control over the teaching environ- between crossing the picket line or By 1997, the UFT had become
ment by passing a mandatory agency losing two days’ pay for every day a the largest affiliate of any union,
shop bill in July of that year. The strike ensued. At that time, an entry- employing a full-time staff of 300,
bill required all school districts to level teacher’s fine could have been
automatically include an agency fee as high as $200 per day.
clause into every contract, making
New York the first state to impose
mandatory forced dues on all teach- UFT increases stranglehold
ers. All New York teachers lost their on NYC schools
right to refrain from membership.
Additionally, another law passed Ms. Feldman continued to hold
through teacher union official pres- city leaders in her grip. In 1995,
sure allowed teachers to gain tenure using her role as exclusive negotia-
after a six-month performance tor, Ms. Feldman bullied her way
review. through contract talks that called for
The 200-page-long UFT contract school-based management. With a
became the byword for teacher union contract in place that ceded this
official excess and a prime example power to individual schools,
of the blight caused by monopoly Feldman paved the way to insert
bargaining. teacher union allies in all school-
The contract’s rules for firing a based management decisions. Sandra Feldman, president of the
teacher were so labyrinthine that one “What we’re watching here is a American Federation of Teachers, retired
educator retained his position during superb union leader and tactician in July, 2004.
33"School Board Must Change, Union Says," Joseph Berger, New York Times, 10/21/92
34"Teacher Tenure: Rights vs. Discipline," Sam Dillon, New York Times, 6/28/94
35"In Schools Crisis, Union's Opportunity," Elizabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 9/29/95
36"NYC Teachers Don't Make the Grade," Stephen Goode, Insight Magazine, 10/9/95
Fall 2004 Insider’s Report - 12 -
and a membership that comprised Both the UFT affiliate and its presidency in July after serving 12
half of the AFT's total member- parent AFT lobbied Congress to lift years as vice president. He had
ship.37 the antitrust rules regarding collec- served as president of the Rhode
tive bargaining for baseball players. Island Federation of Teachers for
After 11 years of molding the many years prior to his tenure with
AFT union ignores education scene in New York City, the national affiliate.
education concerns Ms. Feldman was promoted and It is expected that McElroy, who
became president of the AFT has trained under both Al Shanker
During her tenure as president of the national affiliate following the death and Sandra Feldman, will continue
UFT, Feldman also went to bat for of Al Shanker in 1997. to run the AFT with the same radical
noneducational issues. She demon- As AFT national president, she goals in mind.
strated solidarity with parent AFT continued to press more teachers
officials in demanding a boycott of into paying forced dues and unwant-
Major League Baseball during a ed union representation. During her
strike in March, 1995. Most major tenure, three of the most egregious
league teams had replaced striking scandals broke, involving teacher
unionized players with replacement union presidents in Washington,
players. In addition to urging teach- DC, Miami, Florida, and Boston,
ers not to attend or watch baseball Massachusetts and more than $5.5
games on TV, she called for an end million in embezzled dues money. Catherine Jones, a 1975 graduate
to class trips to baseball fields when of the University of Maryland in
replacement players were on the Catonsville, MD, serves as Director
field. McElroy predicted to carry on for Concerned Educators Against
“The owners had better come to shameful legacy Forced Unionism. Nothing here is
their senses. I sure would hate to to be construed as an attempt to aid
see a generation of kids growing up AFT Secretary-Treasurer or hinder the passage of any legis-
without baseball,” Sandra Feldman Edward J. McElroy took over the lation.
declared.38
Please support CEAFU’s work by making a contribution to the National Right to
Work Legal Defense and Education Foundation, Inc. Contributions to the
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible under Section 170 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
CEAFU continues to assist teachers and education personnel who have been forced to
pay union dues as a condition of employment and continues to support those who work
on behalf of freedom for teachers.
Concerned Educators Against Forced Unionism
8001 Braddock Road
Springfield, Virginia 22160
703-321-8519 www.nrtw.org
37"Fighting All My Life," Ann Bradley, Education Week, 10/1/97
38"Teachers," Education Week, 3/15/95
