Posted by
Waski_the_Squirrel on Friday, October 20, 2006 6:01:33 PM
Friday is supposed to be my uplifting day, so I'll have to do an uplifting blog later this evening.
I am finally catching up on work. I got to my new school about a week before school started, so I've been behind so far. My extra two days off come courtesy of the teachers' union in North Dakota.
For years, North Dakota has had a "teachers' convention" which was put on my the NEA for NEA members. This was a two day event which included some professional development and some union tactics meetings. The two days counted as days of the school year.
Those of us, like me, who were not union members were required to work at school during those two days. It has always been a great opportunity for me to catch up or do some of those extra jobs that slip by.
This year was different. The North Dakota legislature has changed the requirements. Now, these two days do not have to be spent working (or going to teachers' convention). I've not yet read any figures on attendance at the teachers' convention, but I suspect that they are quite down. The result is going to be a decrease in union influence.
Most schools are now using these two days as vacation days and using two other days during the year for professional development. I worked mostly out of habit and because I really do have some jobs that need doing.
It is a small victory, but important. It is a small step toward reducing union power to a level where it belongs.