Teacher's Unions in Texas??

Parent Cafe
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<p>Let me preface this by saying I don’t wish to get into an argumentative thread here. --Just seeking information…</p>

<p>I was party to a conversation recently about education funding which led to a discussion about teacher’s unions. One of the people talking (who happens to have a sister who is a public school teacher in Texas) mentioned that it is against the law for teachers (and she thought any ‘public servant’)to be members of a union. She said the NEA has a presence in Texas, but it’s a “professional association” and doesn’t participate in collective bargaining as it is unlawful in Texas. Can any of you Texans confirm the validity of this statement?</p>

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<p>No argument is needed. </p>

<p>[Welcome</a> to TSTA](<a href=“http://www.tsta.org/index.shtml]Welcome”>http://www.tsta.org/index.shtml)</p>

<p>If the state site is unclear, check the Dallas chapter. You’ll find the same language about the need for power and protection. In NEA terms, that means the real political power to write the laws the organization need and defeat the laws that will be devastating to teachers.</p>

<p>[Welcome</a> to TSTA](<a href=“http://www.tsta.org/locals/NEA-Dallas/]Welcome”>http://www.tsta.org/locals/NEA-Dallas/)</p>

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<p>For a discussion on collective bargaining in Texas.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.atpe.org/advocacy/issues/ColBarExcCon.asp[/url]”>http://www.atpe.org/advocacy/issues/ColBarExcCon.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Nice to know it is about “POWER, PROTECTION, and PROFESSIONALISM” rather than student achievement. Sigh.</p>

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<p>Texas, along with 21 other states is a “right to work” state. No job can require union membership. I am a teacher, some but not all of my co-workers belong to teaching professional groups. They are a good source of liability insurance.
No group has any bargaining power over any contracts. There is NO collective bargaining in any district. Nobody goes on strike. (I think my faculty would cry and then sneak around rather than not teach)
Groups (to a larger or lesser extent) lobby on behalf of public education. Most of my friends who chose to belong do it for the insurance benefits and to lobby for public schools.
As a teacher, I’m really glad that we get to work with our local board (wonderful folks) toward a budget that puts kids first. We are facing budget cuts, and may lose teaching positions. I can’t even imagine teachers striking like in other places.
FWIW, none of my co-workers push TSTA, I had never even heard of it before today. Most aren’t involved in any union.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the interesting information. I’m not a proponent of unions, but there’s no doubt they are an asset when it comes to teacher salaries and, therefore, encouraging the best/brightest to consider majoring in education. Just compare salaries in Texas with salaries in the NE–considerably higher in the NE.</p>

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<p>^^^ So is the cost of living. But, yeah, I’m sure strong unions in Texas would result in more money for teachers.</p>

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<p>One way (as in the linked article) that the public in other states is scared away from teacher unions is to raise the specter of a teacher strike. </p>

<p>In New York State, where teacher unions are strong, there is also in place the Taylor Act, which keeps all civil servants, including teachers, from going on strike. When collective bargaining breaks down, there is arbitration.</p>