Your union, your voice. Join.
I am a good teacher. This is a response I often received when I would approach potential members about joining the union. They did not need the union, because they were good teachers.
Of the various responses I have heard throughout the years, this one, this one bothered me the most because of what it implied. It implied that if you are part of the union, you are a bad teacher. I know, seeing that in print somehow makes it all the more absurd and likely out of context. But those who wholeheartedly stated it, bought into the myth that unions exist solely to protect bad teachers. The actuality could not be further from the truth. Have unions occasionally had to step in to ensure fair outcomes? Yes. More on that later, but more importantly a union, your union, is your professional association. If you are a public school educator, your union serves as your collective voice for your profession. Teaching is a Profession. Most professions have an association linked to their profession that serves to collectively ensure fair and equitable practices, promote standards, and support each other’s professional development. Your association is your union. Your local union, your state union (WEAC Wisconsin Education Association Council), and your national union (NEA National Education Association). One membership, multiple levels of support, of advocacy, of connections.
Belonging to a teachers' union is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, unions provide a collective front, which ensures that teachers have a voice in negotiating fair salaries, benefits, and working conditions. This means that rather than individuals fighting for better pay or resources, the union can advocate for the entire profession, leading to stronger, more sustainable improvements. Additionally, unions offer legal support, which can be invaluable when navigating complex educational policies or when dealing with workplace issues such as unfair treatment or unjust disciplinary actions. Teachers' unions also advocate for better educational standards, ensuring that classrooms are well-equipped and that teachers have the professional development opportunities they need to thrive. By being part of a union, teachers not only protect their own rights but also contribute to the larger fight for the quality and equity of education for all students. Ultimately, membership provides solidarity with fellow educators, making it a powerful tool for creating positive change in the profession.
In my 25+ years I have always been a strong and active member of our union. I started as a building representative, moved to vice president, and served as the president of our local union before stepping down the year before I retired. Navigating a post Act 10 workplace was not without challenges. We worked diligently to maintain and, where needed, to rebuild working relationships with our administration and our school board. We were successful because we believed in the power of a collective voice. We were successful because we understood the value of one voice speaking on behalf of several. We were successful because we recognized our collective strength is greater than individuals trying to negotiate alone.
Why it matters.
Compensation and benefits. Historically, education is a severely underpaid profession when compared to similar professions. Since Act 10, convoluted compensation models and inconsistent placement have led to unfair, often divisive decisions. Your union advocates for fair and just compensation and benefits for all. Recently, the Verona Union and the Middleton Cross Plains Union were able to address unfair and unjust practices through the support of our state union. Ensuring fair pay by addressing gender bias and addressing the inequities from a long standing practice of only raising base pay is a win for all educators. Oftentimes a concern is being able to afford union dues on a teacher salary. Your dues help to ensure you are compensated fairly. Join your union.
Working conditions. One could argue that working conditions are the single most important factor in ensuring the success of all students. Your union not only works to ensure language is fair, clear, and meets the needs of educators, but your union also ensures that these practices are followed. Preparation time, protected preparation time. Duty free lunch periods. Dedicated teacher time before and after school. Compensation for additional meeting time outside of contract expectations. Duty free recess periods. Limited or compensated supervision duties to ensure dedicated teacher time is not sacrificed. Safe working environments. Class sizes. Caseloads. As a teacher, do you benefit from good working conditions? Join your union.
Professional development. High-quality professional learning helps educators improve how they support students, is rooted in collaboration between educators, and is relevant to the work educators do each and every day. WEAC offers a range of research-based learning opportunities and resources for members to increase professional knowledge and skills as well as network with colleagues from every corner of the state. In an effort to correct the past and to do better by everyone, many of our courses and workshops are rooted in social and racial justice. These learning opportunities and resources are available to WEAC members as a benefit of your union membership. Do you value professional development tailored to your professional goals, led by those with knowledge and experience in the field, and developed by fellow educators? Join your union.
Advocacy at every level. Your union works tirelessly to influence local, state, and national educational policies. They work to protect public education funding, fight for educational reforms, and support policies that benefit both teachers and students. Unions defend the rights of teachers to speak freely, to challenge decisions, and to have a say in the direction of educational policy. Your voice matters. What happens at the state and national level matters. Your union advocates at the state and national level. Do you value that influence? Do you value a voice in matters that support our public schools? Our students? Our profession? Join your union.
Do unions have a role in defending and or supporting members? Yes. Part of the role of your union is to step in, to support, to advocate to ensure fair and equitable outcomes. Due process. Every teacher has the right to due process. Does this mean unions protect “bad” teachers? No. No it does not. It simply means that we, as a union, have an obligation to ensure due process. More importantly, we need to recognize that this is such a small part of what your union does. Big picture? It does not happen often. Not as often as some folks think or are led to believe. But the importance of this role is great. Due process. We all have the right to due process.
I am a good teacher. We are all good teachers. We are better teachers because of our union. Good teachers need, good teachers deserve, a collective voice. Are you a good teacher? Great! Then join your union.
