Voter engagement and the BTU election
The Baltimore Teachers Union typically only sees about 10 percent of its 8,000 members vote in its leadership elections, the next of which is to take place on Wednesday. Judging from a random sampling of teachers I talked to in the past few weeks, it doesn't sound like people are much more engaged this time around.
It's too bad, because there are some pretty interesting elements to the four-way race for president of the union's teacher chapter:
1) The revived rivalry between Marietta English and Sharon Blake, who seems ready to go to court (again) if the union doesn't keep a paper trail of ballots cast. She has a high-profile lawyer representing her: former city solicitor Neal Janey Sr.
2) The debate over the leadership of Dr. Alonso, who is praised by all the candidates but English.
3) The inclusion on both the English and Blake slates of Filipino teachers, whose arrival in 2005 was not welcomed by the union.
4) The candidacy of Bill Krehnbrink, a former Republican candidate for both chambers of Congress, who used to run a business repairing tractors and other machinery before he became a teacher.
5) The allegations by another candidate, Joseph Gwin (that's "win" with a "g" in front, he tells me), that schools are allowing the distribution of English and Blake fliers in teachers' mailboxes, but not his.
Think you know what the outcome will be? Gwin begs to differ. "Everybody thinks I’m gonna lose because I’m not part of a slate," he told me. "But I have a theory. David defeated Goliath because God wanted him to. If God wants me to be preseident of this union, I’m gonna be president of this union. If not, guess what? I love teaching math."
Comments
I've always found it odd that Marietta English doesn't post on this discussion board. In noting that it's one of the premiere public forums for BCPSS issues, I find it odd that she's not up there everyday responding to issues so that teachers could see her thoughts. In fact, while teaching, I literally had 0 interaction with the BTU (except for the 7 times they told the staff that our BTU rep was soon getting out principal fired - didn't happen & probably shouldn't have in the end). The BTU is suffering from the same decline as all unions - they haven't figured out how to adapt to a changing and more sophisticated economy. On one hand I lament, but on the other hand I think there's a level of complete "out-of-touchness" with reality and workers' rights on the part of the BTU. Just my two cents.
Posted by: Bill | May 12, 2008 11:20 AM
I have not seen any information about any of the candidates except Marietta English. It would be helpful if they were available in the main office or in our mail box, as Ms. English's were.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 12, 2008 4:30 PM
Bill:
You hit the nail on the head! The lack of getting out in front of issues - real issues that make teaching difficult - with real solutions makes me so angry that no matter what I need to pay my dues. I am a long union backer - come from a family that has been active in unions for years - and I have never felt like the BTU/AFT here has real reform in mind.
With the teacher violence, issues with Canton, new per -pupil funding, on and on, the union should be front and center. Instead we hear that they are getting into a pissing match over one, 45 minute planning period. Oh, sorry, the possibility of one 45 minute planning period. I know that we need our planning, but to make teachers really happy, to make us feel really great and secure, we need high performing schools with school leaders who can move a vision forward. We need to act like and then be treated like professionals, hard working, dedicated professionals. We need professional development, college classes, certification requirements, professional expectations and on and on, that move us forward.
The union needs to stop planning for new buildings (OMG! is that really what she said!?!?!) unless they are new school buildings. I am not sure the any of the others who are running can do this, but I am darn sure that Ms. English cannot, or will not. I pay 24 bucks every two weeks. What am I getting?
Go, vote, act! Wednesday!!! Call the BTU to find out where you are supposed to vote and DO IT! Send a message. Don't have excuses about being too busy - we all are. Take the 20 minutes to make this change. Please.
Posted by: Interesting Observations | May 12, 2008 6:00 PM
Does everyone that pays Union dues realize that the Union is sending something like 60+ people to Chicago as delegates to an AFT convention in August (sounds like, "All expense paid vacation").
Also, realize that the real power behind BTU is Loretta Johnson.
Posted by: VoiceForSchoolTruth | May 12, 2008 7:30 PM
VoiceforSchoolTruth hit the bullseye. Ms. English has not lead the union in years and has no real vision for what the union should be. The 60+ delegates not only go to convention but have ALL their expenses paid. What a crock! I have voted in every union election since I have been in the system--not one time has anything changed. Could it be that the status quo is what teachers really want? I hope not but am afraid so.
Posted by: Joan | May 12, 2008 9:46 PM
I think it's telling that the comment from Ms. English is that she wants to build a new conference center. How does that help move teaching and learing forward in the city? What am I getting for my dues? GO! VOTE! TOMORROW!!!
Posted by: Interesting Observations | May 13, 2008 8:38 PM
Given that Ms. English is not many people's top pick, who is a good alternate and why are they your pick?
Posted by: Anonymous | May 13, 2008 10:55 PM