1 In New Jersey, the union is shaking down the kids.

2 why doesn't the government go bust the monopolies of labor unions?

3 WTF?!?

4 Come the Tea Party revolution, maybe we'll finally outlaw public employee unions, including teacher unions.

5 They should squeeze Crist, he would give up orange juice. _{is that racist?}

6

 he either join the union and pay the dues, or cough up a $500 "agency fee" which goes toward the cost of electing Democrats collective bargaining activity.

This was referenced in Christie's "this is the fight" video. Except in NJ those teachers who wish to remain non-union get 85% of the union dues deducted from each paycheck, rather than 100%.

NJEA: Heads, we get your money. Tails, we get your money.

7 This same thing happens everywhere there are teachers' unions.
Can't have teachers electing NOT to join the union, can we?
He needs to fight this tooth and nail.

8 And yet they can't fire teachers for failing to educate students.

9 Yeah, it is pronounced "Wuhstah", by the way.

10 I guess it all depends on what the law in MA says. Even if the law allows him to not pay, the union could always call a strike, after which the school board could fire them all like Reagan and break the union.

11

I know this is about Mass., but the line that really got to me in one of Christie's recent speeches was his explanation of how non-union teachers still had to pay 85% of union dues to the union, so that they... didn't have to be in the union.  What did he say - "it's like Hotel California... you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave"?

How can an organization you're not a part of force you to pay membership dues?  Or non-membership dues?  I would love to take a look at these laws.

12 And this is the money quote:

State law requires certain public employees to join unions as a condition of employment or pay a so-called agency fee, which goes toward the cost of collective bargaining.

Who writes the State law in MA?  Why the State Legislature, of course.  And who is in the MA State House?  Well, right now its 144 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

13 Right to work state, anyone?

14 He needs to concede and send them a 500 dollar Monopoly bill.

15 Nice little teaching career you got goin' there Godin.  Be a shame if somethin' was to happen to it.

16 This has to stop. It's slavery.

17 why doesn't the government go bust the monopolies of labor unions? Posted by: dudeinsantacruz

Because, because THINK OF TEH CHILDRENZ!

<sob> You mean, mean man, you!

18 OT - Obama apologist on Fox blame Bush for Obama's inability to stop blaming Bush for all of Obama's problems.

19 13 Right to work state, anyone?

Right To Work has nothing to do with public employee unions.. they have their own sets of rules that do not need to follow other state labor laws.

20 ... and Newton Mass. wants to sponsor released Gitmo detainees.

21 And in other 'teacher's unions are scum news'.....

22

Right To Work has nothing to do with public employee unions.. they have their own sets of rules that do not need to follow other state labor laws.

FIFY

23 Right To Work has nothing to do with public employee unions.. they have their own sets of rules that do not need to follow other state labor laws.

I don't hear a lot of bitching about the TSTA.

24 I normally don't advocate violence.

25 #'s 6 and 11:

If NJ is anything like WI, then they don't pay 85% of the dues in each paycheck, they pay 100% and then have to write a letter between two certain dates (they're not exactly the same every year, but generally around january) to get the "refundable" portion of the dues back.  That's right, the unions actually get your money as an interest free loan, and even then, you don't get all of it back.

26 Drats! Sorry to usurp your 'unions are scumthugs' link, Radish!

27 As the son of former, and brother of current, NYC school teachers, I openly say... FUCK THE UNION.

28 The 3PM Money Dump is huge.  +72.63  (0.74%)

29

Nice little teaching career you got goin' there Godin.  Be a shame if somethin' was to happen to it.

Choose the weapon and name the place assholes.

30  fire them all like Reagan and break the union.

Posted by: Vic at June 08, 2010 02:39 PM (6taRI)

**sigh**

 

31 The last three two have been indicted by the Feds.

FIFY.

32 This is, of course, due to the kind of "closed shop" agreement that was established - and supposedly legitimized, legally - in union contracts way, way back in the early days of the UAW, AFL-CIO, etc.

The legal key is that the union must be prepared to show - in court, where it counts - that the union has "materially negotiated or aided in" the establishment of the pay and/or benefits of the (in this case) JROTC Instructor position held by Major Godin. (IANAL - but that's the general concept as it was applied to the collective-bargaining agreement under which i worked as a teacher, many years ago - won't have changed materially).

It's possible to exempt the Major's position from the collective-bargaining agreement - and, as long as the school district has a contract with the union that includes the "closed shop" provision that enables this sort of thing, they must do just that, or the union has the legal right to collect.

T'aint right, maybe - but them's the rules, legally.

Personally, I hope he pays them - only, do it the way I would: Cast $500 in dimes in a solid block of clear epoxy - then, hand-deliver it (you'd need a forklift) to the union offices...and demand a receipt. And alert the media just before delivery...

33 This AT article is also a great primer.

34 Worcester rhymes with mister, not booster or muster.

35

That's right, the unions actually get your money as an interest free loan, and even then, you don't get all of it back.

I see, the little brothers of the IRS.

36 I hate liberals and Unions.

37 As I recall as an ROTC instructor, he is an active reserve military member yes?

38 Unions and Lawyers, is there nothing they can't do.

39 But... But... But... It's for the children! Do you hate the children?

40 41-try using the right punctuation marks, dunce.

41 #32
Agreed,

If the State wants to contract with the Union to make ALL education hires, that's one thing.

But if not, why should the union be the only party the State negotiates with?

42 Unions have outlived their usefulness, there was a time they were needed, but no more.

43 That's wicked fuck'n pissa.He can tell them to fuck off.He's right they don't negotiate his salary.These unions have got to go.Unfortunately I was a product of Mass schools.But back when I went they actually stuck to the curriculum and didn't fill our heads with liberal bullshit.

44 If a union person were on fire, I wouldn't piss on'em to put it out.

45 gd sock

46 fire them all like Reagan and break the union.


Dammit, now I've got a boner.

47 Any corporation that allows their payroll department to process union dues as a automatic payroll deduction deserves to have its CEO and CFO subject to a shareholder lawsuit for abdicating their fiduciary responsibilities. Same goes for a government, your just slitting your own throats.

48 25 I normally don't advocate violence.

Posted by: sTevo at June 08, 2010 02:47 PM (mFu/p)

...but those union fellas are gonna look awful funny trying to eat corn on the cob with NO F*CKING TEETH!

Once again life imitates "The Blues Brothers"...

49 I'm a union member of the CSEA in New York.  I can refuse to be a member of the union, but I still have to pay 100 percent union dues.  On top of that, by refusing to be a member, I forgo the contractual benefits that union members enjoy.  I pay more than $50 a month in dues too.  When I had a scuffle with management, the union reps completely bailed on me until I took matters into my own hands and threatened to go outside and contact the ACLU (yes the fucking ACLU).  Bunch of fucking worthless fat fucks.

Every year I write a letter demanding the return of all funds that were used for funding lib moonbat campaigns.  This year I got $19.87 back.

Fuck the unions.

50 Unions The People Who Brought You Weekends your uncrippled legs

51

Major Godin can fight the head of the local teachers union inside Thunderdome.

If the union head wins, the can have the PPV reciepts.  If they lose, they disband.

That's not a fair fight and you damn well know it.

Works for me!

52 My dad worked for SW Bell his whole career and is a CWA union member. He had it pretty good, especially since he refused to go into management. He's been retired longer than he worked at this point, and still has excellent health benefits, plus stocks and pension. But, that's private industry, and therefore a different critter.

53 T'aint right, maybe - but them's the rules, legally.

Um. I think your missing some other rules. You cannot contract an illegal activity.
1. Military members may not legally join a union.
2. The school cannot legally require a person employed by another party to pay union dues.
3. If the school is required by law to have or allow an ROTC program, then, the trifecta is complete.

A contract to make said ROTC instructor pay union dues violates law, is illegal, and therefore null and void.

54 #26 Gman:   That's EXACTLY how New York works too.  The way they make you dance just to get the refundable portion of our dues back pisses me right the fuck off.  Not only that you have to send it by certified mail too.

FUCK


THE


UNIONS

55 I'd really like to see everyone who gets into a situation like this immediately start de-certification procedures in their workplace. I'm sure he can find enough disgruntled employees to sign a decert petition. Once the petition is filed, they have to do all kinds of stuff in advance of a vote.

56 Worcester rhymes with mister, not booster or muster.

Posted by: Jim R. at June 08, 2010 02:53 PM (CrfXY)

And yet in British cookery, "Worcestershire sauce"  becomes "wooster sauce."  Strange people, those Brits -- why can't they speak English, like us Americans?

57 I have a comprehensive plan to reduce the influence of unions.*

1. Put all of the South Koreans union members on boats.

2. Sink the boats.

3. Kill all the North Koreans Hire new teachers and pay according to performance.

4. Enjoy the peace and quiet your new education system.

* adapted from my comprehensive plan to bring peace to the Korean peninsula.

58

Barnarian at June 08, 2010 02:58 PM (EL+OC)

Does Barnarian = Barbarian?

 

59

Worcester rhymes with mister, not booster or muster.

No it doesn't.  It's "woohstuh", with the oo as in book and hook.

Mister?  You pronounce the R in mister.

60

And yet in British cookery, "Worcestershire sauce"  becomes "wooster sauce."  Strange people, those Brits -- why can't they speak English, like us Americans?

Damn straight. Why can't those stupid limeys say Worche... Worster... Worstersheer... aw fuck it. I'm with the Brits.

61

I will admit, I did not realise the unions, especially teacher's unions, were this corrupt.

Mish's financial website recently did a great post expressing that the Unions keep pushing for this kind of crap, and still are expecting the public's symapthy.

What the unions don't realise that people like me who used to support unions have now realised they are the new mafia, they will get NO sympathy from the public. And Chris Christie through youtube is making is easier to understand just how the unions bully taxpayers.

Its not about the teachers or the kids, its about the unions! 

62 Any corporation that allows their payroll department to process union dues as a automatic payroll deduction deserves to have its CEO and CFO subject to a shareholder lawsuit for abdicating their fiduciary responsibilities. Same goes for a government, your just slitting your own throats.

Texas just made it illegal to allow payroll deductions for political groups from teacher paychecks.

63

I have a comprehensive plan to reduce the influence of unions.*

1. Put all of the South Koreans union members on boats.

2. Sink the boats.

3. Kill all the North Koreans Hire new teachers and pay according to performance.

4. Enjoy the peace and quiet your new education system.

* adapted from my comprehensive plan to bring peace to the Korean peninsula.  

Classic EoJ right there.

 

 

64 And yet in British cookery, "Worcestershire sauce"  becomes "wooster sauce."

I've always pronounced it worse-nes-sure

65

 Oh dear, just came across this on a FB page...good stuff: RE Christie Vs. teacher unions. Of course no fact, no figures...just anecdotal drivel...

Its easy for a rich white man who lives in Medham,NJ to say that he can simply fix things by cutting programs that benefit inner city kids, people and persons with disabilities.

He is way out of touch and to me out of control, he has no idea that when you cut programs the kids will turn to others for help attention or guidance ... the others are ...  See Moregangs. Guess what Mr. Christie, that budget you trying to fix in the way you are trying to fix it will cause more damage to NJ than you think. I'm afraid that you lack the capacity to understand because since you've been sheltered all you life in your suburban home, you have no idea what it is for these kids.

Many of these kids don't eat a breakfast like you and I, many are involved in the system through DYFS. Many have uncaring, unsupportive parents and the only positive person in their lives is their teacher and now you are talking about taking that away

66

oops heres the rest it gets better:

Mr. Christie not only do you not have brains, but you also don't have a heart and you could care less I know which is why you want to do what plan to do anyway. All I can say is that I truly hope that your plans do work, because if they don't the aftermath of what you are about to do will spill over unto suburbia, in one form or another. As you know the gangs have been growing in NJ, well and if you don't know just look at the Trentonian and you'll see how bad it is.

You, my poor detached, poor excuse for a governor will go down in history as the man who most damaged NJ, but hopefully all my fellow New Jerseyans will learn from this experience and never vote Republican again.

67

#62

Mister?  You pronounce the R in mister.

Not in Mass. you don't.

68 Worcester Anybody remember Adam Sandler's "Toll-Booth Willie" skit? Welcome to Woostah!

69 Shit, that's a double negative.

70

Let's see...

School union versus Marine.

 

 

 

I know where to put my money.

71 OT:
you morons may remember me asking you yesterday about whether I should use the word shiv, shanks, or something else yesterday fora  school violence brief.

Someone chimed in and said that I shouldn't use shiv or shank since as they implies racial bias I think that's a load of shit. Any thoughts?

72

Anybody remember Adam Sandler's "Toll-Booth Willie" skit? Welcome to Woostah!

Dollah twenty five, please!

73 Many of these kids don't eat a breakfast like you and I,

Funny, their parents are collecting food stamps (free school meals not factored into family 'allowance.')...

Many have uncaring, unsupportive parents and the only positive person in their lives is their teacher

Maybe we should stop paying women to make kids they don't want to care for.  Problem solved.

@lacey--'scumthugs' is great.

74 I don't hear a lot of bitching about the TSTA.

Long term exposure to loud music?

75 Democrats/Unions = Gangsters

76 You, my poor detached, poor excuse for a governor will go down in history as the man who most damaged NJ

Facebook:  Allowing people to advertise their inner idiot since 2004.

77 Forced union dues shouldn't be legal.  One reason I still like Arizona... right to work state = you don't have to join shit if you don't want to and fuck em if they cry about it.

78 I hope this Marine tells them to eat a bag of dicks.

I would but that's just me being all girly and stuff.

79 dananjcon--I wonder what those people think will happen when taxes are raised to the point the only people willing to live in New Jersey are government employees demanding massive salaries and welfare recipients.  School breakfast just going to fall from the sky?

80 Long term exposure to loud music?

Well, yeah, but that's not it.

Maybe a Texas teacher can educate me on the unions here.

81 The last time anyone checked, inner city women were able to close their legs as well as any other women. If they choose not to, after three or four generations of welfare mamas, I'm all out of sympathy.

82

I always said 'worschtershire sauce'.

Fuck the limeys. We didn't revolt from them just to have to continue to pretend phonics works however their inbred 'tard king thinks it does.

From now on it's pronounced 'warkester'.

And it's spelled workester.

Fuk your prissy frankish C's.

Karry on.

83

HEYYY, and as if on cue, Chicago Teacher's Union suing public district for class size. 

Turds.

84

83 dananjcon--I wonder what those people think will happen when taxes are raised to the point the only people willing to live in New Jersey are government employees demanding massive salaries and welfare recipients.  School breakfast just going to fall from the sky?

Don't be silly.  There's plenty of money from Obama's stash.

85 FUCK UNIONS


They are nothing but greedy LAZY ASSES

It must be nice to work just over half the year, get paid for a FULL YEAR, and get full HC.

How the hell do they STILL bitch/

86 Someone chimed in and said that I shouldn't use shiv or shank since as they implies racial bias I think that's a load of shit. Any thoughts?

Make them explain how using prison slang is racially biased. Do they think that only certain people wind up in prison? Call them on their PC BS.

87 In Michigan, where unemployment is high and people still employed have had to accept pay cuts, unpaid furloughs, and losses in benefits, the teachers are holding rallies calling for higher taxes to bankroll their benefits packages. Oh wait, the tax increases aren't for the teachers' pay and benefits, they're "for the children". Do even liberals still believe the "for the children" b.s.?

88 #91  Do even liberals still believe the "for the children" b.s.?

Hell no. 

89

I wonder what those people think will happen when taxes are raised to the point the only people willing to live in New Jersey are government employees demanding massive salaries and welfare recipients.  School breakfast just going to fall from the sky?

This is why they inevitably build walls.

And if they're too late with the wall, they'll blaim all their problems on their neighbors for not going all-in with them.

"It would have worked", they'll say for 50 years after, "if not for the greed of Texas!"

90 My daughter's superior education at a private Christian school where every student is in the 90th percentile nationally on all subjects costs $3,500 per year (5th grade)

Public schools here in Oregon receive $11,000 per student/year.

Can't wait till they get a hold of health care.

91 Let's see; money paid to a union, as required by state law: this is a tax.

But Maj(ret) Godin is not a member of the union, so he's not represented.

I wonder if a case can be made that this is "Taxation without Representation" and thus inherently illegal?

92 This is not the only case of trying to screw over a retired GI - some small employers, defense contractors even, will offer or try to negotiate a lower salary/benefit package because of "you're already getting it, so why should I pay for it" logic.
Making up their own "double-dipping" rules which also accomplish the same thing for the federal government jobs.

93

Some more FB goodness...its a friggin gold mine! Comedy GOLF JERRY!

Well when Christie's house gets broken into or catches fire or he needs 911, what's he going to do when he's railroaded the police force and firefighters of NJ?? Who's he going to blame then!? He's messing with the wrong people and taking it out on the people who make this state function!!!!!!!!! Hello, where was Christie on 911????? Was he out there digging in the rubble trying to help and save people?? I think not! God bless the firefighters and the police!!!

94

I'm a union member of the CSEA in New York.  I can refuse to be a member of the union, but I still have to pay 100 percent union dues.  On top of that, by refusing to be a member, I forgo the contractual benefits that union members enjoy.  I pay more than $50 a month in dues too.  When I had a scuffle with management, the union reps completely bailed on me until I took matters into my own hands and threatened to go outside and contact the ACLU (yes the fucking ACLU).  Bunch of fucking worthless fat fucks.

Every year I write a letter demanding the return of all funds that were used for funding lib moonbat campaigns.  This year I got $19.87 back.

Fuck the unions.

Yep, I'm in the same boat.  The bitch of it is, they refuse to disclose how exactly union dues are spent; they just get to make up very low number and claim that's the percentage of dues spent on political activity.

Does anyone really believe that less than 10% is spent on politicians and campaigning?  I sure as hell don't.

95
Do even liberals still believe the "for the children" b.s.?

Children, stage props, whatever advances their agenda works.

96 87

HEYYY, and as if on cue, Chicago Teacher's Union suing public district for class size. 

Turds.

---------------------------

You'll notice from the story that 90% of the classrooms have enough square footage to accommodate 35 students.

This is likely a bullshit lawsuit filed by the current Chicago Teachers Union president.  She is in a very hotly contested race for the Presidency next week.. So, like with other things in Illinois lately.. you have to look one or two layers below for the real reason.

97

>> Does anyone really believe that less than 10% is spent on politicians and campaigning?

 

*cough*LOANS*cough*

 

 

98 95 Let's see; money paid to a union, as required by state law: this is a tax.

But Maj(ret) Godin is not a member of the union, so he's not represented.

I wonder if a case can be made that this is "Taxation without Representation" and thus inherently illegal?

NO.  This isn't Taxation without Representation and it isn't inherently illegal.  This is racketeering and it is totally illegal.  The money is for "protection"....protection from the union.

99 Does anyone really believe that less than 10% is spent on politicians and campaigning?  I sure as hell don't.

I was entertained by the CSEA "we demand RESPECT (and by "respect we mean MONEY")!!" billboard/yard sign campaign last year.  That's organized-crime speak.  And they put the signs in their front lawns, so we all know where they live.

100

Fuk your prissy frankish C's.

Ah, the educated edukated swearing of the morons...my kind of people...

101 The money is for "protection"....protection from the union.

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at June 08, 2010 03:34 PM (IqfKc)

Gangsters.

102 Thanks for that link, Logprof. Doctors are always raked over the coals for their salaries, yet a train conductor can make 240,000?

103

Many of these kids don't eat a breakfast like you and I

 I never eat breakfast.

I thought child obesity was a big problem? Didn't Cali ban happy meals?

104

MA Teachers Union:  "Major!  Lay down your $500 fee!!!"

 

Maj. Godin:  "TEACHERS UNION!!!!  COME AND GET THEM!!!"

105 "Unions have outlived their usefulness, there was a time they were needed, but no more."

Posted by: mpur in Texas (kicking Mexico's ass since 1836) at June 08, 2010 02:56 PM

Y'know, for a long time I thought the same thing, until I realized that most of the history of unions in America could have been written by Howard Zinn. When you dig a little deeper, you find that the unions were fighting mostly for their own power, they saw workers simply as cannon fodder, a means to an end. Any benefit accrued to workers through union action was usually accidental at best. Like the fight between Communists and Nazis, neither side really represented the "good guys". 

106 I wonder what part of FUCK OFF! the school board doesn't understand?  English is their FIRST language, isn't it?

107

@107: A Moron's guide to the correct pronunciation of Massachusetts cities:

Yes, and that brings us to the *ham nuance.

Dedham: Ded'm

Eastham: EastHAM

Chatham: Chat'm

Wareham: WareHAM

Wrentham: renth'm

Waltham: WalthHAM

the only way to know is to know.

108 Many of these kids don't eat a breakfast like you and I

I believe Christie eats children for breakfast, it's just good economic sense.

109 Here in the economic boomland known as Southern Michigan, two boxes of Pop-tarts will run you $4, a box of corn flakes $2.75, two lbs of Quaker oatmeal $4.50. Hell, a dozen eggs and a loaf of wheat bread would come to $4 total. Any child who "misses breakfast" that much needs Child Services more than midnight basketball leagues.

110 #62

I saw Iron Maiden at the fahking Centrum in ninety-foah, and yeah, its "Woostah!".

See heyah.

111 "The last time anyone checked, inner city women were able to close their legs as well as any other women. If they choose not to, after three or four generations of welfare mamas, I'm all out of sympathy."

Three generations of imbeciles are enough, eh?

112

#62  Mister?  You pronounce the R in mister.

#71  Not in Mass. you don't.

Unless the word ends in 'a'.  THEN it manditoryeg. Antenna = Antenner

113 They tried to pull the same thing with my dad in Ohio, his defense was that he didn't work for the school system, but the military.  Besides, he wasn't allowed to join the pension plan like the rest of the teachers.  Further proof that he was more of a contractor to the school instead of an employee.

Finally, he threatened to quit, if challenged on this issue (an 0-6 with 30 years of service and no kids really does need the extra income.or the grief of dealing with teenagers).  The union backed down, because it was too popular with the students, parents and teachers to try and push the issue.

114 Also, as I just talked to my Dad, he's a reserve officer being paid my the military, he can't strike with the rest of the teachers if  collective bargaining falls through.

115 When I was a non-member of a state employees union, I had to pay one dollar less than a member for "fair share fees". So if  a member paid $20/month I had to pay $19.
A bunch of us eventually filed suit in federal court to object to paying for political donations and won, so we had to pay only for that which was used for union purposes and not political contributions, or 20% of the fair share fees. That's right: 80% of those dues go to PACS, mostly Democrat PACs.

The unions know that they have no right to take all this money but put the burden on employees to sue for relief. Unions lose these cases all the time.

So find a right to work lawyer, like these guys, http://www.nrtw.org, or someone they recommend, and donate so they can keep working for you.

116 It's pronounced Wistah

117 Um. I think your missing some other rules. You cannot contract an illegal activity.
1. Military members may not legally join a union.
2. The school cannot legally require a person employed by another party to pay union dues.
3. If the school is required by law to have or allow an ROTC program, then, the trifecta is complete.

A contract to make said ROTC instructor pay union dues violates law, is illegal, and therefore null and void.

Who holds the position matters not at all - regardless of their status otherwise, regardless of whether they are actually compensated in any form (paycheck, stipend, benefits only, nothing whatsoever except a handshake and a thank-you), regardless of their legal ability/inability to join a union - what matters is a) whether or not there is a "closed shop" agreement in effect in the contract between the school district (or its governing body, the state government) and the union, and b) whether the position in question is specified as being covered by that contract.

It appears that, in fact, the position of JROTC Instructor in Worcester (however it's pronounced) is covered by the current contract. Ergo, whoever holds that position must either pay dues as a union member, or pay a "service fee" (in lieu of dues) as a non-union member. And there is nothing - apparently - illegal about that.

People, this is not at all unusual or new - I was a classroom teacher in Michigan (a state which runs neck-and-neck with a couple of others for Most Unionized [With A Second-Rate Economy To Prove It] In The Continental U.S.) for over 16 years, paid union dues or "service fees" every year of it - was even a union officer for some of those years, and helped negotiate contracts between the union and the school board for awhile - and the last year I taught there was 1985. (The last three years I was there, I paid only the "service fees", and was a non-union member - but that's another story for some other time). Union contracts - including "closed shop" agreements - pre-dated my tenure as a teacher by roughly ten years. Therefore, such contracts have been around in MI at least since the late 50's. Other places, they came along a bit later, perhaps.

The Worcester district's local board can solve this rather easily, BTW - all they need to do is to declare the position of JROTC Instructor to be "outside the bargaining unit/agreement" - and get the State of Massachusetts to uphold that. Since the position is no longer under the union contract - the union does not get to be paid either union dues or a service fee for the position. There's plenty of precedent - in many districts, such extracurricular/supplementary positions as athletic coaches are specifically excluded from union contracts, as they may then be held by volunteers - paid or (often) unpaid - who are not part of the regular school staff.

In my opinion, BTW, the union in Worcester is being greedy, arrogant and stupid - this is not an issue they should be pushing, certainly not for the sake of either a lousy $500 or "the principle involved." But then, I don't consider most union "officials" to be very smart - although many of them are pretty heavy on arrogance and/or greed.

There are some fairly good arguments in favor of "closed shop" agreements - but this is in no way an example of any of them.

118 He's been with the school district for at least 14 years, since the article indicates he has not missed a day of school in 14 yeras.

After these 14 yeears, this article suggests he has been singled out to pay funds and receive nothing in return.

What? Supposedly, very suddenly, a union which has been around for a good while wants him to pay what other instructors pay. He DOES receive benefits - he may choose to NOT benefits from these - but thhey ARE available. The list is quite long and is the same for other members / instructors who might choose to take advantage of their being available..

I presume he is like other ROTC Instructors and has other duties at the school; such as 'educating' students In more than the ROTC.

"He doesn't get a stipend for after school activities like coaching their drill team. He gets half his salary and all his other benefits from the military."

They word have it sound as if he has worked 14 years for free! This is not even logical - much less FACTUAL. The information is there for the reading - search it out - they hide nothing.

Why mention the stiped he does not receive? Other teachers are in the same boat on after school activities. I did not make this up -- it is part of their employment agreement with the damned district.

The half-salary and other benefits from the military? Sounds like retirement benefits having nothing to do with his primary duties OR PAY at the school. I doubt MASS is different from districts across America.


This article is hosted by "ACE OF SPADES HQ" with a slogan, "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black-flag, and begin slitting throats."

Sensationalist reporting via THEIR BLOG; a BLOG that made a bi-line in local newspapers; not newspapers supporting them, but essentially condemning their statements. This organization tells only a fraction of the real story.

I applaude his military service - but highly question the "facts" in this obviously anti-union article. Articles like these, written to purposely distort the truth are just as bad as the situations they attempt to make appear as if they are being reported in a truthful manner.

If you give a damn about the Marine -- dig and find the FACTS - then make an informed decision. Don't base your anger on a freaking 25-cent BLOG REPORT that is 99% bullshit.

119 xxx