Does Fairfax County Schools have a Teachers Union? Y/N

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, there is a teacher's union, but it is effectively toothless in Virginia.

Most teachers sign up simply for the insurance.

You are incorrect. There are not any teacher unions in Virginia. Before moving here I worked in a very good district in New York, where there are unions. Teachers there met with parents and went above and beyond always putting students first. I've worked with excellent teachers in Virginia and some that should not be in this profession. OP- I'm sorry you had a negative experience with teachers in your past.

Not the PP, but I have to say you are incorrect. There are teacher unions in Virginia. It's a Right To Work state so a membership is not mandatory for employment.

http://www.aft.org/
http://www.fcft.org/
http://4260.va.aft.org/

The American Federation of Teachers is an American labor union that primarily represents teachers. The union was founded in Chicago in 1916, with Margaret Haley credited as its founder and first leader. Wikipedia

So neat that you know how to cut and paste Wikipedia or whatever. Now go read up on right to work and understand what that means for collective bargaining. We'll wait for you.

Umm, collective bargaining does not define a union. There are teacher unions in Virginia.

22:19 here. You are correct. VA does not have collective bargaining and yet there are teacher unions in VA. Thank you. The AFT is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. AFT and their locals are unions.

I added the links to dispel the myth. I figured I took a chance of someone making a comment because I copied text from Wikipedia. Call it convenient, but that quote is accurate.

To the PP: Right To Work prohibits collective bargaining. I know that. It also prohibits membership in a union as a requirement for employment. That is what I stated earlier. Don't know what you're waiting for.

Just a general understanding of the point of unions. Being called a union and having memebers is essentially meaningless without the ability to collectively bargain and strike.
Though it seems Fairfax is experiencing a slow painful drain. The workforce finds a way...

Whether or not they are effective is an entirely different discussion that would result from a different question.

True, but OP was sniffing around for something else. She's got a preconceived notion of what unions are and what they do, and how she should feel about them. Just telling her that teachers unions exist in VA doesn't really get to the heart of what she wants to know.
Cut to the chase.

[Anonymous]

PP who worked in union state and FCPS. Yes, my previous state was also New York and, based on my experience in NY, I will always be impressed by education in that state

Worst teacher I ever worked with came from NY. She was also our Building Representative (union rep for those who are not familiar with the term). Her only concern was teachers' rights. She was not concerned at all about the kids. She may be the type of teacher that OP is concerned about. For example, if the parent conference was after school, this woman would not have stayed over had the conference gone long. If the hour was "out of contract", she would have been out of there in a heartbeat.

She was always telling us to "work to the contract". I'm sure there are great teachers in NY, but, like anything, generalization is not a good thing. I saw a terrible teacher who was in our school on probation--due to her contract-waste a year for a classroom of kids. She should have been released, but, had to be given another year with a different administrator because of the contract.

[Anonymous]

There is a teacher shortage, particularly here. If we want to treat teachers poorly, it's only going to get worse. I don't know about you, but I don't want my kids being babysat by a long term sub. We went through this last year and I spent a shit ton of time and money on supplementing to keep my kids on track. Most people don't have these means, so when we bash teachers and we make their jobs extra, extra crappy, don't be surprised when you suddenly have a bored, untrained sub or "teacher" watching a room of kids going nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

PP who worked in union state and FCPS. Yes, my previous state was also New York and, based on my experience in NY, I will always be impressed by education in that state

Worst teacher I ever worked with came from NY. She was also our Building Representative (union rep for those who are not familiar with the term). Her only concern was teachers' rights. She was not concerned at all about the kids. She may be the type of teacher that OP is concerned about. For example, if the parent conference was after school, this woman would not have stayed over had the conference gone long. If the hour was "out of contract", she would have been out of there in a heartbeat.

She was always telling us to "work to the contract". I'm sure there are great teachers in NY, but, like anything, generalization is not a good thing. I saw a terrible teacher who was in our school on probation--due to her contract-waste a year for a classroom of kids. She should have been released, but, had to be given another year with a different administrator because of the contract.

Teacher's absolutely need to work to contract. It's insane to think you guys work against and around it. Working to contract doesn't mean you can't be a creative, prepared, and invested educator, but your attitude is the very reason your workforce is dwindling. Police officers and firefighters have equally important jobs, and they don't circumvent their contracts.
That is because it is a male dominated workforce. Men expect to be paid.
Teaching is a predominately female workforce. They love children, they are nurturing, and understandably approach their work emotionally.
It's not only that woman make less than men in the same job. "Women's work" is undervalued.
This is why their is a wage gap.
Don't attack your colleague for wanting her time compensated and respected. You should want the same.
Younger people have grown up hearing this message of parity.
They will continue to look elsewhere for a career.

'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New to this area and wanted to understand this before heading into a parent teacher conference.

Not like in other states. It is not required to be a member. There are a couple of organizations that represent them, however.

But, what does that have to do with a parent/teacher conference?

This is OP. I'm coming from a state where the teacher's union was strong. My perception, and I understand that this may be my bias, is that teacher's that come from a strong union aren't as open to parental feedback. Maybe it's because they don't care as much as "at will" teachers because their employment is secure ...or maybe I've just had a couple bad experiences.

For the record, I have two children in Fairfax and both teacher's seem to put forth a lot of effort into their classrooms so the fact that Fairfax doesn't have a teacher's union fits into my perception.

OP, Along these last years in Fairfax I figured out most of the teachers and administrators are not open to parent's feedback. This makes me think there's a kind of TAUB (Teachers and Adminstrators United for Bullshit)

[Anonymous]

eacher's absolutely need to work to contract. It's insane to think you guys work against and around it. Working to contract doesn't mean you can't be a creative, prepared, and invested educator, but your attitude is the very reason your workforce is dwindling. Police officers and firefighters have equally important jobs, and they don't circumvent their contracts.
That is because it is a male dominated workforce. Men expect to be paid.
Teaching is a predominately female workforce. They love children, they are nurturing, and understandably approach their work emotionally.
It's not only that woman make less than men in the same job. "Women's work" is undervalued.
This is why their is a wage gap.
Don't attack your colleague for wanting her time compensated and respected. You should want the same.
Younger people have grown up hearing this message of parity.
They will continue to look elsewhere for a career.

True union BS. When I was a teacher, we took pride in being considered "professional". A professional understand that the job needs to get done. If a teacher cannot stay late to meet with a parent--or refuses because of her "contract', there is a problem. Most teacher contracts end within an hour after dismissal. Some contracts are only thirty minutes after.
And, last I heard not too many teachers put their lives on the line daily--as do firefighters and police officers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

eacher's absolutely need to work to contract. It's insane to think you guys work against and around it. Working to contract doesn't mean you can't be a creative, prepared, and invested educator, but your attitude is the very reason your workforce is dwindling. Police officers and firefighters have equally important jobs, and they don't circumvent their contracts.
That is because it is a male dominated workforce. Men expect to be paid.
Teaching is a predominately female workforce. They love children, they are nurturing, and understandably approach their work emotionally.
It's not only that woman make less than men in the same job. "Women's work" is undervalued.
This is why their is a wage gap.
Don't attack your colleague for wanting her time compensated and respected. You should want the same.
Younger people have grown up hearing this message of parity.
They will continue to look elsewhere for a career.

True union BS. When I was a teacher, we took pride in being considered "professional". A professional understand that the job needs to get done. If a teacher cannot stay late to meet with a parent--or refuses because of her "contract', there is a problem. Most teacher contracts end within an hour after dismissal. Some contracts are only thirty minutes after.
And, last I heard not too many teachers put their lives on the line daily--as do firefighters and police officers.

Wow. So there you have it.
Undervalued women's work. Not real work like cops and fireman...
Yes, I am a member of a trade union that has some similar issues. The difference is that I'm paid better than a teacher, and my time is respected. We work with employers to provide a needed service and aren't looking to screw anyone over. But you better believe we follow our contracts. It's the only strength you have at that table.
That way when you come back to the table and admin says," we need you to stay for conferences" you come back and say," ok sounds great, but we will be compensated for that". You should be paid for work you are doing. I don't know a single teacher that isn't paying for things out of pocket, and working long hours. If you all followed the contract, you could start to actually being paid for the work you are doing.
Of course you guys are in a world of hurt because of decades of established past practices.
I know this all easily, but not easily done.
Pp, are you a member of a union in a non right to work state?

[Anonymous]

* easily said, but not easily done.

[Anonymous]

Every professional job has contracted hours (8am-5pm, 9-5, 8/30-4:30, etc). If an afternoon meeting runs late you don't demand to be compensated, as it is a salary-exempt position. How is teaching any different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every professional job has contracted hours (8am-5pm, 9-5, 8/30-4:30, etc). If an afternoon meeting runs late you don't demand to be compensated, as it is a salary-exempt position. How is teaching any different?

It is different because we get paid a lot less. We have parent teacher conferences next week after school. They are from 3:30-5:30. I have to pick up my child at daycare by 6:00 or I am charged by the minute. Maybe other professionals can afford to pay if they are 15 minutes late. I can't so I will be leaving at 5:30. If a parent walks in and expects me to stay past 5:30, I won't do it. I can't afford to. That is the difference.

[Anonymous]

It is different because we get paid a lot less. We have parent teacher conferences next week after school. They are from 3:30-5:30. I have to pick up my child at daycare by 6:00 or I am charged by the minute. Maybe other professionals can afford to pay if they are 15 minutes late. I can't so I will be leaving at 5:30. If a parent walks in and expects me to stay past 5:30, I won't do it. I can't afford to. That is the difference.

Are your child care workers unionized?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every professional job has contracted hours (8am-5pm, 9-5, 8/30-4:30, etc). If an afternoon meeting runs late you don't demand to be compensated, as it is a salary-exempt position. How is teaching any different?

It is different because we get paid a lot less. We have parent teacher conferences next week after school. They are from 3:30-5:30. I have to pick up my child at daycare by 6:00 or I am charged by the minute. Maybe other professionals can afford to pay if they are 15 minutes late. I can't so I will be leaving at 5:30. If a parent walks in and expects me to stay past 5:30, I won't do it. I can't afford to. That is the difference.

And other professions are way, way more flexible! I can take up to an hour in the middle of the day to leave the office to run errands. I work remotely on occasion. I take multiple breaks during the day. I don't sweat having to work late or work on a weekend because of this. Teachers do not have this flexibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

eacher's absolutely need to work to contract. It's insane to think you guys work against and around it. Working to contract doesn't mean you can't be a creative, prepared, and invested educator, but your attitude is the very reason your workforce is dwindling. Police officers and firefighters have equally important jobs, and they don't circumvent their contracts.
That is because it is a male dominated workforce. Men expect to be paid.
Teaching is a predominately female workforce. They love children, they are nurturing, and understandably approach their work emotionally.
It's not only that woman make less than men in the same job. "Women's work" is undervalued.
This is why their is a wage gap.
Don't attack your colleague for wanting her time compensated and respected. You should want the same.
Younger people have grown up hearing this message of parity.
They will continue to look elsewhere for a career.

True union BS. When I was a teacher, we took pride in being considered "professional". A professional understand that the job needs to get done. If a teacher cannot stay late to meet with a parent--or refuses because of her "contract', there is a problem. Most teacher contracts end within an hour after dismissal. Some contracts are only thirty minutes after.
And, last I heard not too many teachers put their lives on the line daily--as do firefighters and police officers.

Wow. So there you have it.
Undervalued women's work. Not real work like cops and fireman...
Yes, I am a member of a trade union that has some similar issues. The difference is that I'm paid better than a teacher, and my time is respected. We work with employers to provide a needed service and aren't looking to screw anyone over. But you better believe we follow our contracts. It's the only strength you have at that table.
That way when you come back to the table and admin says," we need you to stay for conferences" you come back and say," ok sounds great, but we will be compensated for that". You should be paid for work you are doing. I don't know a single teacher that isn't paying for things out of pocket, and working long hours. If you all followed the contract, you could start to actually being paid for the work you are doing.
Of course you guys are in a world of hurt because of decades of established past practices.
I know this all easily, but not easily done.
Pp, are you a member of a union in a non right to work state?

I work in IT (a mostly male field since you're comparing) If someone were to get up during an end of day meeting and walk out because they felt they did their allocation of work, they would be told not to come back and their badge would not work the next day. To be treated like a professional, act like a professional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every professional job has contracted hours (8am-5pm, 9-5, 8/30-4:30, etc). If an afternoon meeting runs late you don't demand to be compensated, as it is a salary-exempt position. How is teaching any different?

A mature CBA takes those types of things into account. It's not just demands. Management is part of the deal.
But If your argument is, " my job sucks. I work without compensation all the time, so you should too..." not compelling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

eacher's absolutely need to work to contract. It's insane to think you guys work against and around it. Working to contract doesn't mean you can't be a creative, prepared, and invested educator, but your attitude is the very reason your workforce is dwindling. Police officers and firefighters have equally important jobs, and they don't circumvent their contracts.
That is because it is a male dominated workforce. Men expect to be paid.
Teaching is a predominately female workforce. They love children, they are nurturing, and understandably approach their work emotionally.
It's not only that woman make less than men in the same job. "Women's work" is undervalued.
This is why their is a wage gap.
Don't attack your colleague for wanting her time compensated and respected. You should want the same.
Younger people have grown up hearing this message of parity.
They will continue to look elsewhere for a career.

True union BS. When I was a teacher, we took pride in being considered "professional". A professional understand that the job needs to get done. If a teacher cannot stay late to meet with a parent--or refuses because of her "contract', there is a problem. Most teacher contracts end within an hour after dismissal. Some contracts are only thirty minutes after.
And, last I heard not too many teachers put their lives on the line daily--as do firefighters and police officers.

Wow. So there you have it.
Undervalued women's work. Not real work like cops and fireman...
Yes, I am a member of a trade union that has some similar issues. The difference is that I'm paid better than a teacher, and my time is respected. We work with employers to provide a needed service and aren't looking to screw anyone over. But you better believe we follow our contracts. It's the only strength you have at that table.
That way when you come back to the table and admin says," we need you to stay for conferences" you come back and say," ok sounds great, but we will be compensated for that". You should be paid for work you are doing. I don't know a single teacher that isn't paying for things out of pocket, and working long hours. If you all followed the contract, you could start to actually being paid for the work you are doing.
Of course you guys are in a world of hurt because of decades of established past practices.
I know this all easily, but not easily done.
Pp, are you a member of a union in a non right to work state?

I work in IT (a mostly male field since you're comparing) If someone were to get up during an end of day meeting and walk out because they felt they did their allocation of work, they would be told not to come back and their badge would not work the next day. To be treated like a professional, act like a professional.

I'm sorry. I missed the part in the above post where I said I ( or any of my colleagues) would walk out of a meeting? I'm confused about where you are getting that.