Bloomberg Stands Up to Teachers’ Unions

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “Mayor to Cancel Teachers’ Raises, Averting Layoffs,” conveys Mayor Blooomberg’s decision to cancel teacher raises for two years, as a result saving more than 4,000 jobs.

Noone likes to have their wages frozen, and the teacher unions complained vociferously. Yet the idea of shared sacrifice is endemic to American values, and any reasonable person will recognize the tight budgetary predicament of schools in New York State.

In addition, teachers will still receive “step increases,” based on new degrees, advanced training or milestones in their careers.

In fact, the ability of Mayor Bloomberg to freeze the wages is partly a result of the unions’ greed in the first place. Both the city teachers’ union and the principals’ union are working without a contract because their negotiations with the city are at an impasse.

Now, don’t misunderstand me. I’m one of the strongest supporters of unions, except when they become dysfunctional. This generally occurs as a result of accumulating too much power and ignoring the needs of the people they were meant to serve, those who benefit directly from their jobs, in this case, the students.

Saving 4,000 jobs, and the impact of that on class size is undeniable. And it’s when unions become too greedy, that they affect the public support essential for their ultimate success.