Teacher Union Offers Perks to Teachers Who Campaign Against Tories

[CPCFTW]

You're misrepresenting the situation. Their time is paid by the union, not the taxpayer. They're being asked to campaign, not being compelled to.

Compel, from Merriam-Webster online: "to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly"

Are you sure the unions are the ones footing the bill for the paid days off?

And free money with a day off from work is pretty irresistable.

[Michael Hardner]

Are you sure the unions are the ones footing the bill for the paid days off?

I believe that was from the links provided above.

[guyser]

I believe that was from the links provided above.

Yes it was..........

'The cost of covering the absent teachers would be paid by District 12 of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation. The union's contract allows teachers to be excused on occasion for union business, but the union must also pay for a subsitute'

[CPCFTW]

In that case I don't have an issue with it although I still hate unions.

[Michael Hardner]

In that case I don't have an issue with it although I still hate unions.

Keep on keepin' on !

[dre]

The "average voter" does not have the resources to get heard so people organize into groups that can afford it. Based on your logic the only authorized groups should be political parties. Why should political parties have a monopoly on political debate?

Those groups can still exist and they dont need to trade money and favors to political parties for policy. They can stand up in front of the government and the voters and make a case for whatever it is they want.

[dre]

Are you serious? Did you even read the OP? These are public servants who are being compelled to campaign against a certain party while getting their time off paid for by taxpayers who have elected the very same party to a majority government.

What if the CBC told its employees that they would get paid days off work for campaigning for the conservatives? I'm sure you wouldn't be happy.

Unions are labor corporations, and the taxpayer here is funding nothing.

The problem I can see here is that members of the union might be forced to contribute to things they dont support. Its a problem and maybe the membership should be given a vote on that. But you can make the exact same case for shareholders in private corporation. Most companies that I own shares in wouldnt even inform me in the event they decided to contribute some of my money to a political cause.

[bloodyminded]

Unions are labor corporations, and the taxpayer here is funding nothing.

The problem I can see here is that members of the union might be forced to contribute to things they dont support. Its a problem and maybe the membership should be given a vote on that. But you can make the exact same case for shareholders in private corporation. Most companies that I own shares in wouldnt even inform me in the event they decided to contribute some of my money to a political cause.

Yes, there is a bit of a red herring belief in the "power of shareholders," when in fact it tends to be a hierarchical power structure. That shouldn't even be surprising; that's what power is.

Has anyone else seen that clip of the "ethical shareholders" of WalMart being literally laughed out of the room, by the "real" shareholders?

That's why I find it humorous, when I have the audacity to bitch about some large company's behaviour (underscoring my antipathy to "freedom" and perhaps my intensely "communist" leanings), that someone always says "If you're concerned, buy sharers in the company and have a voice!"

In other words, "If you're concerned, become extremely wealthy and powerful! What's the problem?"

Edited June 17, 2011 by bloodyminded

[gutb]

Wait. Stop. Some of you appear to be suggesting that teacher unions are not funded by taxpayers? Did I misunderstand something basic here?

[Dithers]

You needn't be bitter over all those Cs.

But I don't think you'll be happy until unions and the corresponding middle class are eradicated, and workers here have the same standard of living as those in India or China.

That is precisely what is happening. A concerted effort to wind the clock back to our glorified, factory bound manufacturing days.

Unfortunately, in doing so, we'll also have to pass by 1919.