Sour Grapes -- Again!

On Sunday I wrote the following...

The politicians of the supermajority (legislators and the governor) are doing everything they can to build more private and privately run schools using public dollars, and destroy the public schools because

• they are still angry at Glenda Ritz (read: 1.3 million voters) for defeating Tony and are too small to let it go...

As if purposely trying to prove my point, the Republicans in the Indiana House have added insult to injury.

Another dark day for Indiana's public schools

Another measure approved on party lines casts a blow on the state teacher unions, already battered by anti-collective bargaining laws approved two years ago. The latest measure prohibits school districts from allowing voluntary payroll deductions for union dues...No local school district officials spoke in support of the dues amendment. They currently deduct annuity payments, United Way contributions, pension payments and more from teacher paychecks. The bill would not affect those deductions.

The only purpose for this amendment is to damage the teachers unions. The only reason for adding it is spite.

It isn't difficult for school corporations to withhold teacher union dues for teachers. It doesn't add time or cost the local school corporation (or the state) any money. Employers all over the country already withhold money for lots of things...adding one more isn't a problem. Furthermore, it's voluntary. Teachers don't have to join teachers unions. If they do, they don't have to pay their dues through withholding. They can pay in a lump sum if they choose. The ISTA even has a way to pay monthly through their web site. There isn't a single reason for adding this restriction to law other than to damage the union. This is union busting at its most blatant.

Mitch Daniels and Tony Bennett blamed teachers unions for Bennett's defeat in the last election. This amendment is simply sour grapes.

This has nothing to do with education of children. It's only meant to insult teachers and their professional organizations. The writers of this amendment will go to any lengths, it seems, to show their disdain for the teachers of Indiana.

It's like a petulant child on the playground throwing stones at someone who hurt his feelings. It's time for the supermajority's leadership in the Indiana General Assembly to discipline their rude and disrespectful children.

Also see:

Teachers decry union-dues move

“This is being done, in my opinion, to do nothing but stifle their representative voice, as other legislation that has been passed in recent history,” said Rick Muir, president of the Indiana Federation of Teachers.

Teachers, unions cry foul over legislators' surprise move to prevent dues collections

“It is another anti-union attack. It does nothing to improve schools,” said ISTA President Nate Schnellenberg. “I am disappointed that these anti-teacher attacks continue. It takes away a teacher’s right to decide how they want to pay dues.”

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Stop the Testing Insanity!

Sign the National Resolution on High Stakes Testing!

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