A Seat at the Table

August 2018

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair.” - Shirley Chisholm

When decisions concerning our profession are being made, educators must have a seat at the table. Educators must have a voice in determining working conditions, salaries, student testing, curriculum selection, teacher evaluation, and all aspects of our careers. Too many decisions that impact our profession are made at district offices, in state houses or in the U.S. Congress without input from the experts –those who teach and work in the school houses.

This new school year, make a commitment to be actively involved and claim your seat at the table.

We are in the fight of our lives. We face HB 7055, the new law which will decertify teacher unions that fall under 50% membership, and we face the financial ramifications of the Supreme Court’s Janus decision, which did away with fair share fees. But the real fight is to save public education and our profession. This is why we need to organize now more than ever, and insist we be given a voice and a seat at the table.

At the Workplace Teachers and instructional personnel can establish a strong CTA presence at every school and work site by having informed and active Association Representative/s, and a motivated CTA leadership team. The AR should be able to assist members with contract questions and concerns, hold the elections for the school committees during pre-planning, and solve any problems at your school by meeting with the administration. A well-functioning Faculty Advisory Committee, elected by faculty during the first week of pre-planning, is essential to protect rights and improve working conditions. If you do not have an AR at your school and need help in an election, call CTA. If you do not have a functioning FAC at your school or worksite, chances are teachers do not have a seat at the table in making school-based decisions. CTA can help you get one set up.

At the Voting Booth Teachers need to get out to vote, and encourage their family members, neighbors and friends to get out to vote if we are to get pro-public education candidates elected. Your vote is your voice. The CTA and AFL-CIO endorsed candidates will stand up for public education, students, and teachers. The CTA-endorsed candidates that presently hold offices and are running again, are ones who are known to have offered seats at the table to CTA leadership and teacher-leaders in our community throughout their term/s in office. Please visit the CTA website to get all of the information on voting and the CTA and AFL-CIO endorsed candidates. Stand up for public education and vote your job!

At the Union Teacher-members can help grow and strengthen the union, which is the strongest voice for educators, our profession and public education. Serving on a CTA committee and attending CTA-sponsored events also gives you a seat at the table. Every member can serve as an organizer and recruiter to help grow and strengthen CTA. Increased membership means a louder voice, stronger negotiating power, and more seats at the table. Please take a few minutes this week to visit the new teachers and instructional personnel at your school or worksite to share the benefits of being a union member. Offer them a CTA Membership Application to allow them a seat at the table.

In the Community From the school house to the school board to the state house, educators can claim their seats at the table. Attend school board meetings. Write to and set up meetings with district leaders, school board members, and legislators. Make your voices heard and if you are not offered a seat at the table, bring your own chair.