[GLC] Teachers Unions and a Living Wage

[Susan McLean]

David and all- Personally, I believe that literacy teachers are taken very
seriously and literacy students are not considered "losers" or failures- I
am saddened to see these words used in the context of a very purposeful
profession and as descriptors for thousands of hardworking adult literacy
students and professionals.   Having worked in this profession for more than
20 years, I have seen literacy teachers in many areas of NYS  and in many
programs in NYC treated on par with their professional counterparts -
whether they have been a part of a union or not. Personally, I have
administered programs that are both union and non-union - and in all cases
the staff has had a competitive salary, health, dental, eyewear, life
insurance in addition to paid sick, paid personal days, paid holidays and
vacation time and protected by written employment policies - including
grievance. Union or non-union - employers should take responsibility for
ensuring that the teaching staff is secure and can perform to the best of
their ability on any given day. If we expect to attract and retain
professionals in this field, it is our responsibility - as administrators -
to move the professional forward - for teachers, counselors, and students-
at all times. 

Thanks for letting me get in my 2 cents worth.

Susan McLean

-----Original Message-----
From: glc-bounces at lists.literacytent.org
[mailto:glc-bounces at lists.literacytent.org] On Behalf Of DAVID GREENE
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 2:43 PM
To: glc at lists.literacytent.org
Subject: [GLC] Teachers Unions and a Living Wage

Dear friends,

Wrote this recently and wanted your thoughts.
Be well,

David Greene



Why Adult Education Teachers and Staff Need a Union?

          For many who work in the field, the answer is clear.   Better pay,

benefits, job security and working conditions top many lists of grievances 
of literacy program workers.   Organizations and committees have been formed

in the past that advocated organization and bargaining contracts, but though

many of these efforts have faded, the needs obviously persist.     Unions 
have been organized to defend workers and to win benefits, but also to 
improve work and the quality of service.   Unionized service workers besides

fighting for their needs, have been advocates for better quality services 
and greater responsiveness to the community.   In many cases, unions and 
organized workers have effectively fought for social change.   Unionized 
workers in many ways have represented the communities that need services.

	It is shameful that the field of adult education is not taken
seriously at 
any level of government and that the field is poorly funded and 
disrespected.  Literacy and adult education students are considered 'losers'

by too many politicians and too much of the public.   Prejudices
abound and teachers and other staff in these programs are also considered 
failures.   The field often spends its time begging for little grants and 
inadequate funds, when this education is an important and potentially 
critical community and national need.   The response by administrators to 
this perennial struggle to stabilize funds is to consider unionization of 
staff as impossible, and
an interference in the delivery of service.  As a result, teachers are 
underpaid and disrespected
again and again.   They often stay a few years, at best, then leave for a 
"real" job.

	The decision about unionization must be made by teachers and other
staff.  
Unions can
work to insure better pay, benefits (including pensions, sick leave, 
vacations, quality health insurance, etc.), working conditions, worker 
rights, program funding and the quality of services.
I have been an adult education teacher in New York City for the past twenty 
years and I love this
work and my students, but I did not plan to be an adult education teacher.  
If I had not had the protections and benefits of a union contract, I would 
doubtless be working elsewhere.  Though I have been an active part of the 
fight for adult education and for teacher's rights and a union, the
salary and benefits have helped me continue in the field.   For so many 
wonderful and idealistic teachers, they are forced to leave to support a 
family or even pay rent in New York City.

	Teachers in adult education need unions and they need stable incomes
and 
benefits.   We also need to be organized to defend our rights and to fight 
for the quality of education that we know is needed.    I work for the 
Department of Education, but I am not beholden to that institution, but 
rather to the quality of life and the development of quality education for 
the working class students and teachers of adult education.

	In this system, programs, whether CBO's, Libraries, CUNY, CWE or DOE
are in 
competition for limited funds.   They basically fight each other for crumbs 
to try to stabilize their own jobs and programs.  Students and teachers need

to be organized to insure that their interests are protected
and improved.   As an active member of the United Federation of Teachers, 
Adult Education Chapter and someone who continues to fight for education for

leadership, I want to encourage teachers in all sectors of the literacy 
community to organize and unionize.   Let me know if there is any way we can

support your efforts.
	
by David Greene