What happens when teachers don’t have to join a union?

[longknife]

Today, teachers in Kenosha, Wis., voted to decertify their union, the Kenosha Education Association, by a margin of nearly two to one. Only 37 percent of the teachers opted to retain the union in an election made possible by the labor reforms enacted under Gov. Scott Walker (R). The result goes to show that when workers have a choice on whether to join a union instead of being forced into one by law, they often choose to vote down the union.

Slowly but slowly, movement toward reforming our education system is taking place. The tight grip of the teachers' union is being loosened. Read the story @ Demise: Wisconsin?s third-largest school district says no thanks to union representation « Hot Air

 

[Jackson]

From the op's link:

Walker turned a $3.6 billion deficit into a $154 million surplus. Unemployment is down. So are property taxes. Businesses, even with uncertainty about the U.S. economy, are optimistic about the direction of the state. Even with the political divisions, it’s hard to imagine a more successful 16 months as governor.

Now teachers are not paying extravagant dues and everyone is happy. What state wouldn't want that?

 

[DGS49]

Maybe they just don't want that particular union.

American teacher's unions have always acted like "labor" unions, devoting all of their effort to benefit the teachers (and particulalrly the worst of them), while doing nothing to promote the profession, or benefit the children.

It does not have to be this way. Teachers unions could be in the forefront of pushing educational innovations - as a "professional" association would be, but because of the posture they have taken, they become part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

I know teachers who are positively ashamed of what their unions do (while being thrilled with the pay and benefits).