For this week’s column, I predict a great deal of backlash and angry staff members for the following topic because this is a university newspaper — read by a great deal of professors and teachers.
That being said, I would like to preface the column by saying that I am not calling out any Cal Poly staff members or saying professors are guilty of what is written.
If the introduction was not blunt enough, I am writing about the Teachers’ Union that caused a great deal of controversy in Wisconsin this year. These teachers are taking on methods many would consider wrong.
So the U.S. is broke, and many sectors of the government have to deal with cuts in spending. This includes the education sector where schools are given less money to pay their teachers and buy new learning materials.
Many teachers felt they were already underpaid. Maybe some are even concerned students are not receiving the education they deserve. So you’re upset, I understand. What are you going to do about it?
Maybe petition on the weekends? Or elect a representative that would fight for your rights? No. Instead, the teachers of Wisconsin decided on a different method.
I would like to ask those teachers: How are you helping by calling in sick with fraudulent doctor notes when you’re healthy? Or taking over the State Senate House and not letting them do their jobs? Even bringing the kids into the fight and taking them out of school? What type of message does that send to kids?
Well I’ll tell you: it teaches that them it is OK to be stubborn noisemakers to get your way.
I would like to hear the bullet points for their campaign. I want to know how costing their school district and state more money, as well as putting the student’s education on hold, is helpful.
The truth is, these teachers are not the only ones who have taken a significant hit during this recession. They are not the only ones having to deal with lay-offs and pay cuts. They are not the only ones working for a salary below their qualifications.
The private sector, which pays these teachers with their taxes, is hurting just like the rest of America. They are experiencing reductions in jobs in just about every industry imaginable due to the recession. From manufacturing to real estate, there are workers struggling to stay employed.
So do you think because you’re a government union you have the right to more money and opportunities than those not working for the government? To me, that is a ridiculously selfish mindset.
I understand the frustrations of these teachers and can see why they are so upset, but their response was handled in a very negative manner in my opinion.
As a student, I cannot believe the amount we get ripped off by the cost of college (books and tuition to be more specific). I believe something needs to be done about students being taken advantage of, but the response needs to be done in the correct way. It needs to demonstrate my right to free speech, but at the same time, it doesn’t end up costing a broke economy more money. It’s like beating a dead horse.
So let’s give these Wisconsin kids an education and leave the protests to a time that doesn’t cost these students their right to learn.