UTLA: All of the brain power of the Hulk, none of the strength
Seriously...this is one of the kinder appraisals I've had of the Teachers' Union over the years.
I have refrained from commenting on the Teachers’ Union, UTLA, thus far. This is generally because I try to put them out of my mind…sort of like an ache that you can’t deal with, or an old injury. The union, to my experience, has leapt to the defense of its most senior members, or its most wrong headed, while hanging out to dry more committed, younger members.
This panel came about as a result of the staff inquiring what the Union had to say about Pledge LA being involved in our Day to Day operations, and levying sort of a “gotcha!” mentality. It was being presented as if these people could assess or evaluate teachers, on the job…the kind of stuff that was in the prior posting’s panels. Pledge LA was coming forth as if they could rate your teacher performance, and teachers were beginning to question what the union could or would do about it.
Answer: Not much.
The Union always runs back to the contract…which is not a bad idea, but in this case, not very useful. The contract clearly states how teachers can be evaluated, and who can do it. That doesn’t change the fact that teachers here are not in fact, being evaluated by Pledge LA…they are instead being advised…it only feels evaluative. Unions can’t do much about feelings.
Also…the union generally supports members only in order of seniority. Our school, starting up anew like a phoenix from the ashes of failure, went out of its way to hire young, hungry teachers at the beginning of their careers. A huge number of our staff members in fact, are in that position, and would be laid off by this criteria of “reverse order of seniority.”
The union has in fact traditionally opposed changes to that system, and opposed a legal decision that specifically aids both teachers in our demographic, and the students that they serve.
Thusly, my portrayal of the union as a hulk like creature. Supposedly strong, but in fact, mentally weak…unable to really plan, or support its members. Hence the protagonist asking, “Why didn’t you help me out?”
To me, it sometimes seems that for most teachers, they never do.
Tales of Adequacy! 