Unions and the law

I am dreadfully upset by all of the recent unrest and attack on teachers. Each and every teacher I know, even the "bad" ones, started the profession optimistically and with good intent. We all start with the notion of changing the world or making a difference. We all want our test scores to be up. We all care about our kids. We really, really do. So this week, as teacher unions are being attacked and dismantled across the nation , I am appalled at the products of a free and compulsory education [ahem, legislators] attacking our national Rights citizens have for so dearly fought. Seriously, attacking teachers?? How can democracy stand without us? What do you think happens to the poor kids without us? How dare you say that our voice, that our opinions, and rights aren't important? Do you know with whom you mess? Do you realize, dear public, how much we are capable of when allowed to make decisions and teach on our own?? We are the keepers of the children, the architects of the future, we inspire and love. We guide and protect. We carry our "work" in our hearts and minds 24/7. And, then, as we have your children in our hearts and minds, you send only messages of criticism and mistrust. We have rights that we fought for. We ask for things that help us do a better job serving you and your children. Trust us. We are amongst the most educated, compassionate, tolerant, and loving people in the world. If we say we need 48 hours before a parent-teacher conference, and we need a union to get that point across to politicians that have never been in a public school, then let us have it.
I have friends in Tennessee and Indiana, and I am hearing about the debate in Wisconsin.

Here are a few quotes from fellow teachers circulating this week:

Only 5 states do not have collective bargaining for educators and have deemed it illegal. Those states and their ranking on ACT/SAT scores are as follows:
South Carolina - 50th, North Carolina - 49th, Georgia - 48th, Texas - 47th, &
Virginia - 44th. If you are wondering, Wisconsin, with its collective bargaining for teachers, is ranked 2nd in the country. Let's keep it that way.

Our union has helped us gain the following rights, all of which could be nullified with the passing of new legislation. To gain and retain caring professionals, we must have a voice!
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salary schedule that recognizes for advanced degrees
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duty-free lunch
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specified planning time
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coaching supplements
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stipend for National Board Certification
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protection for Career and Technical Education teachers and classrooms
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specified pay periods and pay dates
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cap on individual insurance premium
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advance pay for newly-hired teachers
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grievance process for contract violations
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dues deductions for REA-TEA-NEA members
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48-hour notice before parent conferences
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reasonable limitations on bus duty, arrival or dismissal duty
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guidelines for school in-service meetings
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guidelines for regularly scheduled faculty meetings
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protection from excessive vendors/solicitation at faculty meetings
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protection from students who have committed a violent act/threat against a teacher
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outline of the evaluation process
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specification for how to document conferences and reports
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contents and maintenance of personnel files
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bereavement leave
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Sick Leave Bank
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coverage for Workman's Compensation
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defined maternity, sick, and personal leave
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professional leave for individual schools
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school calendar committee
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fair treatment and nondiscrimination clauses
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tuition for hard to staff areas
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reimbursement for required Praxis testing for tenured teachers