In 2005, Gompers Preparatory Academy in California won approval to transition to a charter school, allowing them freedom from the damaging control of forced unionism. After this, the school began to grow and improve like never before. In fact, the teacher retention rate grew to 85%, sparking the interest of teachers who wish to work in an environment where they aren’t restrained by unfair union bosses.
However, this blossoming of improvement and great learning environment wasn’t enough to satisfy union officials. The union bosses turned to “card checks” in order to force the school back under their rule and into a monopoly once again.
Teachers and administrators of Gompers are not happy about this at all. In an article posted in Reason, National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix shares their words on the matter:
Kristie Chiscano, a teacher who left a career as a surgeon to serve Gompers students, sought a school that wasn’t unionized: “I chose to work at a school that didn’t have a union and now they’ve come in and they’re running everything about my contract and my work.” […]
The teachers’ struggle would likely infuriate one famous union official, their school’s namesake. Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor, believed in voluntary unionism, not coercion. He said: “The workers of America adhere to voluntary institutions in preference to compulsory systems which are held to be not only impractical but a menace to their rights, welfare and their liberty.”
Mark Mix, From Reason
If you have questions about whether union officials are violating your rights, contact the Foundation for free help.
If you feel pulled to support our cause and help those suffering from Forced Unionism, go here to donate.
Foundation President Mark Mix recently participated in a panel discussion titled “Ask The Experts: Teacher Appreciation Week? How Teachers Unions Got in the Way.”
“The PERB should condemn these attacks on independent-minded teachers, and allow Gompers educators to have their long-overdue vote on whether to remove the union officials who are attacking the very educators they claim to represent,” added Mix.
There is concern over the lowered access to in-person learning and education during COVID-19. However, the issues are deeper than that.