Like Jason Kohute, as he wrote in his guest editorial, “Unions need to be accountable to public employees,” I too have had to deal with a workplace union that was more interested in politics than in making my life as a teacher easier. Public employees, like teachers and state workers, are often left feeling like their views don’t matter if they don’t match with what the union is saying.
In fact, the union that represents teachers in Pennsylvania–the Pennsylvania State Education Association—recently held a press conference with Democratic lawmakers at the exact same time that I was testifying in front of the House Labor and Industry Committee on labor reform bills. The Democratic lawmakers walked out of the hearing room instead of staying to listen to what I had to say.
Both the Democratic lawmakers and the union officials who refused to hear my testimony made me feel like my voice doesn’t matter. If the lawmakers had stayed to listen, they would have heard that what I truly want is for unions to be less political and to be more accountable to their members.
I would like a teachers union that is focused on making schools a better place for teachers and students. I agree with Jason that state lawmakers need to step in to make legislative changes so public employees have more opportunities to hold their union officials accountable.
Cheri Gensel, Spring Brook Township, Pa.
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