INSIDER’S REPORT CEAFU

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 Photo by Linda S sized his Department's commitment 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 taulcup 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. Photo by Linda S Mr. Denholm described his vision of a district where the super- National columnist intendent hired only teachers who

addresses conclave taulcup 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 ents would be satisfied with their ment in active education reform. 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 Photo by Linda S Department of Labor, detailing 2006.6 financial information such as assets, Education Intelligence Agency liabilities, receipts, and disburse- Director Mike Antonucci, reporting

ments. The report currently covers taulcup 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 about mobilizing and stimulating Senator Kerry. 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 S 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 taulcup 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 Educators Caucus, called for NEA No Room for Diversity in Riles Instead of Rallies Some Members officials to “simply get out of the NEA Republican Caucus abortion issue altogether… Our NEA teacher union officials union needs to stick to education,” During the annual convention, 24 stoked the ire of thousands of she said. militant NEA Republican Caucus schoolroom teachers and support Because NEA teacher union offi- members chased Chairwoman personnel by co-sponsoring a pro- cials continue to act upon these res- Dianne Lenning from her position. abortion march in Washington, DC olutions calling for “reproductive To them, Lenning's “sin” was not an this year. On April 18, they opened freedom” (including abortion), insignificant one. the NEA’s well-appointed headquar- thousands of teachers are forced to NEA teacher union officials ters to participants in the March for support causes that run contrary to selected Kevin Jennings, founder of Freedom of Choice, providing their sincerely held religious beliefs. 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 However, calls for teacher union More religious objectors are Creative Leadership in Human officials to open the building to going public Rights at the annual convention pro- marchers for the March for Life ceedings. have fallen on deaf ears. Foundation Attorney Bruce Despite the fact that many NEA Cameron has represented many members sought to have Resolution teachers whose requests for reli- Jennings failed to report I.12, Family Planning, overturned, gious accommodation were either suspected child abuse last year's Representative Assembly turned down or unnecessarily 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 Photo by Linda S affair with an older man. obsessed with hot-button 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. taulcup 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- caucus who concurred with the Mike Antonucci, Director, Education chairman of Planned Parenthood selection voted 31-18 to hound Mrs. Intelligence Agency, entertains and Republicans for Choice. Many Lenning from office for her public informs CEAFU conference guests with NEA members believe Mr. Moody's predictions about teacher union offi- criticism of prominent NEA teacher service on the Planned Parenthood cials’ activities. 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 [email protected]. 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 S 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 taulcup 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 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 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 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

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37"Fighting All My Life," Ann Bradley, Education Week, 10/1/97 38"Teachers," Education Week, 3/15/95