Teachers union will move forward with members in lead
Wisconsin’s public school teachers and support staff are reeling after a week in which our state leaders put political ambitions before their constituents.
When the governor signed into law his unprecedented attack on workers’ rights, he did so amidst plummeting approval ratings and an intense and growing base of Wisconsinites who are outraged by the actions he is taking to destroy our great state.
Make no mistake, this disregard for public opinion and workplace rights will have a broad and lasting negative impact on our state’s future. From schools, to hospitals, to public services—and ultimately, to middle-class families across this state, the damage these actions set into place will be deep and wide.
On behalf of educators across our state, I remind you that weeks ago we accepted the financial concessions the governor asked for to help solve our state’s budget crisis. But we have consistently said that silencing the voices of workers by eliminating their collective-bargaining rights goes too far.
Our members responded with the passion and conviction you’d expect from people who spend their days educating, motivating and inspiring our students to succeed—by the very profession they have chosen. Educators don’t select their career path for the money—they enter their workplaces with a voice and passion for the future they want to be a part of creating.
Now that the bill is to become law, my members ask me, “What do we do when leaders won’t listen?”
I know we won’t go away. We won’t give up a lifetime of dedication to education. We will continue—in all ways we know how—to be the light of inspiration to our students, stable forces in our communities. We will continue to move Wisconsin forward.
When leaders won’t listen, we must turn to our friends, neighbors and families. If silenced on one front, our voices can and will find new direction. That includes speaking up against a proposed budget that cuts about $1 billion from public education and harms the middle class, yet caters to out-of-state billionaires and corporate interests.
Educators believe in union, in joining together rather than tearing apart. But the divisions that have been created in our state by our elected leadership ignoring the voice of the public and pursuing the national corporate agenda won’t be easily mended.
All along, Wisconsin educators have peacefully participated in our democracy. As the nation and, more important, our students looked on, we did what we thought necessary to express ourselves and stand up for our values. It is my sincere hope that, in coming months and years, our actions will be remembered as our best efforts to retain a voice for our students, our schools and our profession—respecting our democracy and, in turn, worthy of respect.
As an organization, the Wisconsin Education Association Council will move forward, as we always do, with our members in the lead.
Mary Bell is a Wisconsin Rapids junior high teacher with 33 years experience in the classroom. She is serving as president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, a union of 98,000 educators dedicated to strong schools and communities. Learn more at weac.org or write to her at WEAC, 33 Nob Hill Road, Madison, WI 53713.
Mar 27, 2011 at 8:07 a.m.
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OMG - what hyperbole. "Put political ambitions before their constituents". How about - acknowledging that the majority of constituents elected Walker and Legislators to do the work they are doing. "Attack on worker's rights". “Rights” are not at stake. It’s a privilege that was granted by the same body of elected officials that is now trying to right the fallen ship that it became. This is not the world ending, the Armageddon, the rapture of hysteria promoted by Mary Bell and other Union leadership. They have stirred the pot because their very jobs depend on it. They depend on the required union dues to fund their salaries and the Democrat machine - which continues to put candidates in that keep the machine going. This is what damages our state, our society, and our communities. Walker is trying to remove it. He should be applauded.
We the voters have listened. I submit teachers have no idea how good they have it. And, ironically they will begin to rise in prominence and esteem once they relieve themselves of the shackles of the crappy union that keeps them collectively down. WEAC is terrible for teachers and terrible for Wisconsin. Mary Bell – get real – accept that your snake oil wagon is shrinking and we all, including your constituents will be better because of it.
Mar 17, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.
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Am I the only person who understands that County Boards and School Boards have been held hostage by their unions, and taxpayers have had ever increasing property taxes as a result?
Mar 17, 2011 at 4:35 p.m.
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It's funny Edgerton teachers sat down with their administration and they settled on their wages and benefits. If they can do it, why all the hub-bub everywhere else? Is no other city as wise as Edgerton?
Mar 17, 2011 at 7:42 a.m.
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NVgrf - Ezoner....Nice evidence to back up your very compelling position! - He/she must be at work so I'll give you the 1st false statement:On behalf of educators across our state, I remind you that weeks ago we accepted the financial concessions the governor asked for to help solve our state’s budget crisis.
Not true and you know it!
Mar 17, 2011 at 3:55 a.m.
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Mary Bell lives in a fantasy world.
Have some more bon bons and quit writing fiction.
Mar 16, 2011 at 4:56 p.m.
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She's the president of WEAC. What do you expect?
Mar 16, 2011 at 2:17 p.m.
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Ezoner....Nice evidence to back up your very compelling position!
Mar 16, 2011 at 9:31 a.m.
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What a crcok this article is. It is nothing more than an opinion piece with so many errors and false statements that it should never have been printed. UNIONS are a big part of the problem.
Mar 16, 2011 at 9:15 a.m.
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WAUWATOSA - Wauwatosa residents packed a Common Council meeting Tuesday night demanding that aldermen hold off on approving new union contracts.
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/118...
Mar 16, 2011 at 6:58 a.m.
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Instead of focusing on recalling Walker the union members ought to recall their union leaders or at least require that they rely on the same levels of income that the teachers do. And how about the administrators? The union leaders only care about getting their huge salaries and benefits.
Mar 16, 2011 at 6:46 a.m.
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"I remind you that weeks ago we accepted the financial concessions the governor asked for to help solve our state’s budget crisis." --- Really? somebody call Madison School district, Dane Co., City of Madison etc. and let them know because they did the exact opposite by approving raises & locking in for 2 & 3 years. When you get done with that call make sure you notify Mr.Parr that his puppet master said its "ok" to accept the concessions and to go ahead and open the Jvl contract.
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