Why are counselors considered second class citizens in Unions
I am, sadly, discovering that as a Union member and a counselor, that often my two roles do not coincide when in comes to equity of services. This appears to be unintentional and an oversight.
It is an oversight that needs to change. CTA, counseling service groups , local and national educational organization, need to accept counselors and other certificated staff as equals in education, fighting as strongly for the rights of the non-teacher certificated staff in public schools as they do the vital teaching staff. Anything less is discriminatory.
It is an oversight that needs to change. CTA, counseling service groups , local and national educational organization, need to accept counselors and other certificated staff as equals in education, fighting as strongly for the rights of the non-teacher certificated staff in public schools as they do the vital teaching staff. Anything less is discriminatory.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cynthia Tonan on -
I am a school nurse and agree that it is not always fair. My district union tries hard to include me and I attend the monthly meetings so speak up. However when you belong to a small group (we only have 1-2 nurses in the union) it just is not the same as with a group of 300 teachers.
I must say, though, that CTA has been there for me every time I needed them. Presently I am using a CTA attorney for a situation and he is phenomenal. Some if not all of my legal fees will be covered. Compared to CSEA members, who do not have many of the benefits that we have, I am grateful.
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Permalink Reply by Sheryl Grabow-Weiss on -
Unfortunately, so are Teacher Librarians. At least I am able to be a site rep for our school. But it still didn't help - all of the Teacher Librarians in our district were reassigned to the classroom. So, now I'm a site rep and a classroom teacher. Our union does what it can - unfortunately, its hands are tied.
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Permalink Reply by Howard Friedman on
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I understand your concern and feel all people within the bargaining unit are equal members. I like your strength to stand up for your rights, but I think you should think about not falling into the trap of the divide and conquer model. We all loose when we are divided.
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Permalink Reply by Lori Hunzeker on
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You are right we all lose when one loses. However, its an equity issue that needs to be considered by all, not placated.
Howard Friedman said:I understand your concern and feel all people within the bargaining unit are equal members. I like your strength to stand up for your rights, but I think you should think about not falling into the trap of the divide and conquer model. We all loose when we are divided.
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Permalink Reply by Howard Friedman on
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Schools became social institutions for what society lacked in safety nets for the poor. Education is the bottom line. Placated is what one might feel, but once we start with the attacks against each other, the sooner the power structure wins. This comes down to what is valued by the representative government and the voters. I feel bargaining rights and our right to representation needs to be heard. Eventually, when negotiations happen and the dust settles, we need to understand that school are about educators and students. The rest is support staff.
I feel we need to negotiate to keep all jobs. In the world we live in, we are pitted against on another. This never serves the students. When the cuts occur, what are we to do? As a parent, I want education first, as a union member, I want all jobs respected and maintained. We are not in that position.
I will most likely lose my job this year after six years of teaching. I support the union position. It is not perfect, but it is the union and the members whom matter. We did not create this economic disaster. Now we are ready to point fingers at our own, instead of the people who drove us into this abyss. I wish you and all other brothers and sisters well. I hope your quest for a perfect solution happens.
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