Non-union teachers riding free on backs of members

To the editor:

In response to Bob Huggins’ June 24 letter about teachers checking out of the union, I have several questions.

I have been a member of the Clark County Education Association since I began teaching in the district. The state of Nevada is a right-to-work state. You can be employed and are not required to join the association. Usually, in other states, such employees would pay higher rates for health benefits since they have chosen not to be members. My argument is with teachers who take the benefits and salary and do not pay union dues.

If the non-union teachers are true to their own principles, then why do they not refuse the pay increases and other benefits the union negotiates for them? In other words they are hypocrites.

Presently, the Clark County Education Association negotiates for all teachers, not just its members. All teachers get the salary increases for experience and education advancement.

I also smile when I read letters from retired teachers who now knock the union and never once paid into it. Are you getting your retirement money regularly? Are you getting health benefits? Are you now able to sit and pontificate to the rest of us because you are now out of the trenches? Please just enjoy what my dues helped achieve for you and simply say thank you.

As far as Mr. Huggins’ comment about giving myself a $600 raise by leaving the union, I would remind him that if I need legal representation it is a phone call away to my association representative. Mr. Huggins should ask his wife, a teacher, if any teachers at her school were unfairly “targeted” because an administrator didn’t like them and tried to – or did – put them on the list of surplus teachers. I know colleagues who could tell you stories to make your head spin. On their own it would cost substantially more than $600 for legal representation.

Before anyone chastises the union, please remember a few important facts:

1. The Clark County Education Association negotiates the contract with the district for all teachers, not just members.

2. If you don’t want to be a member, give the salary increases and benefits back. I’ve never heard a non-union member say she did that.

Until Mr. Huggins or somebody else can come up with a better plan, I’ll stay with the union. Teachers should be members because my union dues put the food on their table. If you’re going to eat the meal, you should pay for it.

Frank russo

henderson