Lessons (not) learned from the Cumberland Valley Strike
I received an email from a support group for a CVHS sports team. In that email, the coach of the team wrote
As you all probably know, the Cumberland Valley Education Association was forced to initiate a teacher strike. Â It is with great disappointment that I have to announce that I can not work with our outstanding children until a contract has been accepted. Â To the best of my efforts I encourage all our young student-athletes to fight for what is right and fair. Â That is simply all that I am currently attempting and asking for.
Regardless of my opinion concerning the merits of the strike, I am concerned at the tone put forward in the email. There is a complete lack of acceptance of responsibility for the actions of the teachers, coming from a teacher! The CVEA (union) was not “forced” to initiate the strike. The union chose to reject the latest offer. Perhaps a correct decision, but a decision on their part. The union then chose to strike.
Also, since it is up to the coaches and advisors to decide whether or not to continue with their sporting activities, The coach could work with the players. The school board in the “media alert” specifically wrote “Continuance of athletic events and extracurricular activities are at the discretion of coaches and advisors.” He chooses not to, instead choosing to honor the strike and the picket line.
I understand supporting one’s union. I really do. I just ask that we all accept that our actions are a result of our choices that we make.
Stand up.
Take ownership of your own decisions.
THAT is perhaps the best lesson we can teach our kids during times like these.
Typical thuggery. Sad, but not unexpected.
And teachers wonder why “the general public doesn’t support them more.”
1. The “more money, less results, anti-parental choices, anti-accountability” talking points of the teachers unions (and, sadly, many of its members)
combined with
2. the political slant and “progressive issues advocacy” of both national and local union organizations
On top of
3. the aggressive, extortionist policies against non-union teachers and the public as a whole
makes “supporting teachers” a bitter pill indeed.
Don’t get me started on the “fair share” and “right to work” issues . . . as parents, and as teachers, my wife and I both have been doubly victimized by union perfidy and thuggery.
the other steve