Neshaminy taxpayers continue to revolt

From the BCCT.

I don't know all the ins and outs of the Neshaminy issues, but when I read this, there's a stream of consciousness flow of thoughts that occur to me.

* Who's in charge? It's not the parents of the students to be educated.
* Why are the teachers and the teacher's union always automatically evil?
* Why are the taxpayers always automatically good?
* Why wouldn't you want to pay the teachers well when it comes to educating the next generation? (Remember, they educate the same people who will pick and/or staff your nursing home in decades to come.)
* Why would Neshaminy want to follow previous bad examples of class warfare?
* Why would the teachers not bargain in good faith?
* Why would the board not bargain in good faith?

Will teachers stand with us as members of the community?
By LARRY PASTOR JR.
Bucks County Courier Times

I know many of you are pleased that the Neshaminy school board is standing up to the outrageous contract proposal from the teachers. It's a relief for you to read articles, letters to the editor and guest opinions that express shared anger over teachers' avaricious demands.

You've likely been upset for years about the ridiculously high taxes you've been paying for teachers' excessive pay and benefits. And, of course, you know that, by rejecting the most recent board offer, teachers have once again confirmed that they are not in any way concerned about your family's financial stress.

If you've had the opportunity to attend board meetings, you probably have noticed the abundance of teachers present. You can't miss the T-shirts signifying their commitment to digging even deeper into your pockets. You may have also noticed teachers have yet to defend their demands.

Do they continue to stand with the union against their neighbors? Or, do they now step up and support their community? How can they, through this arrogant sense of entitlement, disregard the financial hardships that everyone now faces? How can they ask more of financially strapped retired and elderly, struggling families, many with single parents trying to make ends meet and all those who have lost pay and jobs?

Can they ask their neighbors to pay more so they can continue benefits and raises nearly non-existent in other professions? Are they willing to be the cause of extreme cutbacks in important programs for all of our children, just to get more for their own families?

As the country braces for the days to come, are the teachers not in this with us? After a generation of rebuilding the reputation of the teaching profession, do they really want to flush all of the goodwill away due to their inflexible greed? Will any of them have the courage and moral conviction to stand up against what is so obviously wrong?

Each one, as an individual, not as a union member, will have to answer these questions.

Tax increases over two decades have resulted in our teachers being among the highest paid in the state and enjoying one of the richest contracts in the country. Beyond a point of fair compensation, which our teachers contract exceeded years ago, it is proven that money has diminishing returns on improving teacher quality.

Now that contract negotiations are at a crucial point, taxpayers need to speak in "unison" that teachers have to adapt to our changing world. Unfortunately, the board and district residents are at a significant disadvantage to the union due to the following:

1) By law the district collects union dues through payroll deduction then sends a check to the union.
2) Non-union teachers are required to pay fair share (80 percent) dues as a condition of employment.
3) The union has secured exclusive bargaining rights.
4) Pennsylvania is one of only 13 states still permitting teacher strikes.

Why are these things important? Money from forced dues fuels union power over the board. The well-paid union leadership uses the money to prevent the election of fiscally responsible board members and politicians who will stand up for the taxpayer. Vast amounts of money are used to ensure the laws are written to give them maximum advantage over boards and taxpayers. Finally, dues support strikes when their demands are not met. The union wields a very big club against its own teachers and taxpayers alike. Now through legalized extortion, every few years we allow them to beat the school board and all of us into submission.

In the meantime what can taxpayers do?

* Get mad as hell and tell them you won't take it anymore!
* Organize any size group you can and contact the board
* Come to board meetings, www.neshaminyinfo.blogspot.com.
* Demand the board withdraw the contract offer teachers rejected.
* Support a much reduced counteroffer and dismissal if they strike.
* Tell the board you want district collection of union dues to stop.
* Demand future negotiations are visible to the public and any contract is presented at a public hearing before anybody approves it.
* Vote in the May 19 primary for board candidates who support taxpayers.

If each taxpayer gets engaged, in any small way possible, we can make a difference. With enough of our voices, we will be heard and together we can make a stand.

March 12, 2009 01:10 AM