Meet Dean Corren Dean Corren talks to board of directors recently. When your board of directors voted single payer health care.” ourselves,” he said in a recent interview to recommend Dean Corren for at Vermont-NEA headquarters. “If Corren, a Progressive who also has the lieutenant governor, the decision we are going to have a functioning backing of Democrats, wants to be a was easy. democracy, we need to restore the lieutenant governor who “will work to meaning of politics.” “He really gets it,” President Martha restore the meaning of politics.” By that, Allen said. “Dean is an unabashed he wants to transform “politics” from This is not Corren’s first stab at elected union supporter. He is a believer in angry, partisan wrangling to a platform office. He served four terms in the the importance of public education. where people of differing views House from 1993-2000; he also was And he, alone among all of the exchange ideas, debate, and agree on an aide to then-Congressman Bernie statewide candidates out there, is a course of action that serves only one Sanders. For more than a decade, dedicated to ensuring our members purpose: to better the lives of everyone. he’s been the chief technology officer are treated fairly in the transition to “Politics, at its core, is how we govern continued on p. 7 Vol. 81 No. 2 • Oct., 2013 www.vtnea.orgThe Official Publication of the Vermont-National EducationAssociation Anti-Union ‘Think Tank’ Wrong About Vermont Vermont-NEA Vermont-NEA Editor’s Note: Vermont-NEA President course let alone reality. The same “poll” in favor of corporations and away from Martha Allen wrote the following asserts that almost a third of union members working men and women and their families. commentary in response to an would choose to quit if they could do so while While that crusade has had muted success in inflammatory piece submitted to the retaining the benefits won by the union – even the more than half of the states – like Vermont state’s newspapers by the president without paying dues. (Ever ask someone if – that do not limit the formation of unions, it of Vermont’s anti-union think tank. It they would rather pay for something or get it is a constant reminder that without unions, appeared widely, but we wanted to share it for free? That’s what we’re talking about here). workers everywhere get less. with you directly. Putting aside the “results” touted by Roper, Auditor Doug Hoffer crunched some numbers It’s always fun – in a what-will-they-come-up- let’s look to the fundamental part of his (from non-think tank sources) and found that with-next kind of way – to read the ramblings argument – that so-called right-to-work states contrary to Roper’s assertion that our elected from Vermont’s most prolific right-wing think are better for working men and women. officials are leading us in the wrong direction, tank. union-friendly Vermont is doing well. And while Roper – in typical fashion – cherry And the latest screed from Ethan Allen picks information that purports to show Vermont is doing better than 21 of the 24 Institute President Rob Roper doesn’t workers better off in states that have all right-to-work states in a bunch of categories disappoint. but obliterated unions in favor of granting that should matter to working people: enormous power to corporations and unemployment, median household income, Waving the “results” of a “poll” done under the employers, the actual facts tell a far different growth in our economy to name a few. auspices of a national anti-union group and story. funded in part by a company shilling liability Our growth in per capita income is better than insurance to teachers, Roper claims that a Before getting to the punch line (spoiler alert: in 17 of the 24 right-to-work states; and, in the majority of Vermonters want the freedom to you’re better off here in Vermont and other kicker, 10 of the right-to-work states lost more join or leave a labor union, and then goes on non-right-to-work states), let’s remember of their manufacturing job base than we did to assert that the General Assembly’s support what unions did for America. since 1990. of workers’ real rights is “out of touch” with The rise of unions in the private and public While the Vermont legislature in recent years Vermonters. sectors coincided with a rise in the country’s – overwhelmingly not Republican – has been With all due respect, it is Roper and his middle class. It brought wage and hour laws; friendly to working men and women and their tired anti-worker, pro-corporation mantra abolished child labor; instituted overtime right to organize, it’s not because they are out (repeated from the Koch Brothers’ national pay; instituted due process in hiring and firing of touch. It’s because they are representing pro-billionaire playbook) who are out of touch. decisions; led to better pay and benefits at the interests of their constituents, who, every union and non-union shops; and was on the other year, return them to Montpelier. To begin with, workers in Vermont are free to forefront of the greatest economic expansion join unions – or not join. And, believe it or not, We agree with Roper in his desire for more the country had ever experienced. people are free to leave unions, too. fairness, common sense and prosperity in In short, unions and their members raised the Vermont. (Who doesn’t?) Indeed, looking into the methodology of the standards of living of both members and non- “polling” done as part of the laughably named Fortunately, he and his anti-worker brigade members alike. “National Employee Freedom Week” reveals aren’t the ones in Montpelier making decisions a two-question survey that wouldn’t pass Sadly, the anti-worker crusaders and their that represent the real interests of Vermont’s muster in an elementary school statistics acolytes like Roper have helped tip the balance working families. continued on p. 8 Vermont-NEA Today • ELECTION 2014 1 Vermont-NEA It’s Important to Get Involved Martha Allen The Official Publication When I began teaching over 30 years ago, I did not expect that politics would play a role in my work. of Vermont’s Largest Union Actually, it was the farthest thing from my mind. I wanted to work with my young students and 10 Wheelock Street., Montpelier, VT 05602 help them to learn about the world as they developed the necessary skills to explore and create. My p 802.223.6375 f 802.223.1253 • vtnea.org aspirations were to be the best teacher I could be, meeting the challenges of the potpourri of students who entered my classroom each year. Eventually, I learned that politics and public education are Martha Allen, President inextricably linked, whether I liked it or not! Joel D. Cook, Executive Director I was well aware that public education played a very important role in our society. I was reminded the Darren M. Allen, Communications other day that when our town squares were designed, they always included a school, along with the Director church and general store. Education was deemed as necessary as the spiritual and material needs of a community. Families settled near the town square and to this day schools are at the heart of our communities. Many BOARD OF DIRECTORS realtors use a good school system as a selling point when showing houses and families consider the Alison Sylvester, V. President quality of a school when they shop for a community in which to settle. Steve Owens, Sec.-Treasurer Today, we are faced with a different community structure where many travel miles each day to work. Eric Weiss, NEA Director But, each day they return to where the school, church, and store remain. However, public education is Cathy Mander-Adams, Chittenden 1 expensive and many of our legislators believe that cost savings can be made if the small schools close. Holly Esterline, Chittenden 2 Times have changed and educators have found themselves in the midst of a political struggle. This connection to politics isn’t new because funding for our public schools does take up a large Chris Halpin, Chittenden 3 percentage of the annual state budget and there are many viewpoints as to what is best for our Wayne Whitehill, NE Kingdom 1 budget, our students, our communities and our state. Duke Szymanski, NE Kingdom 2 As educators you are also taxpayers, employees, parents, and community members. Whether we Sarah Burgess, So. Vermont 1 want to or not, we must participate in this political discussion. From our local town meetings to hearings at the State House, educators’ voices are necessary to make sure that our students and Molly Pratt, So. Vermont 2 communities will continue to thrive in our small state. Loriann Darrell, So. Vermont 3 Those new to the teaching profession may think along the same lines as I did so many years ago. They Darcey Fletcher, NW Vermont 1 will want to make a difference in their students’ lives. Don Tinney, NW Vermont 2 I hear that often and it is commendable. We all know we didn’t go into education to get rich. I hear Lance Mills, Upper Valley 1 that a lot, too. But, we don’t have the luxury of separating school from politics. We must accept the responsibility of our citizenship and make our voices heard. One way to do this is to vote.