Unions not cause of education problems

In response to William Swearingen's letter which was a response to my letter, I am glad someone is listening to what I am saying.

I don't feel the "unionization of teachers" has "put more importance on teacher benefits than on education." Unions were created to protect the employees by improving the working environment and creating a voice for workers.

They may help teachers increase their pay, but they also negotiate for better working conditions, for example, class size.

They protect teachers so a disgruntled parent cannot have a teacher fired, and it works like a court system to protect them. Although teachers are tenured, there are ways to remove a teacher, even with the union contract.

As for teachers "receiving pay hike percentages" for taking extra classes, it is a way to motivate them to take courses to stay certified and to stay current in their field of expertise.

It would be worthwhile for businesses to do this also so their employees learn new and more effective ways to perform their job.

I would imagine many in business have not taken a course since they were degreed but might do so if they were rewarded with higher pay and incentives.

Maybe teaching is not "worth more than any other profession" but what other profession can have such a direct influence on our society and how our future evolves?

Someday I will be living off a fixed income, too, and won't feel badly for that committed teacher who spent her career teaching my children and grandchildren.

Dawn Heil

Algonquin