How do groups like Teach for America bust unions?

[Hello_Kitty]

I read that here all the time and wonder why that is. What's preventing a TFA teacher from joining her local teacher's union? Are they being used as scab labor to break teachers' strikes or something? I understand the basis of the criticism that they may not be as well trained as teachers who have gone through the traditional coursework but I don't get the union busting angle.

[tonysam]

1. TFA teachers typically are employed only for a couple of years

They don't reach tenure--ever--because they aren't regular contracted teachers. This subverts tenure and teacher morale as a whole because districts end up getting a system of revolving door teachers in order to save money. They never become vested in retirement, a huge expense. These teachers are gone after a couple of years, only to be replaced by more cheapie hires.

Also districts like NYC are hiring regular contracted teachers only to get rid of them when they reach their third year--after their third year they can receive tenure, but principals are pulling all kinds of stunts to get rid of these teachers so they never receive tenure. Other districts, like my former district, Washoe County School District, simply reclassify regular contracted positions as "one-year-only" positions, another way to create revolving door teachers. Again, it saves money on pensions and hearings.

Furthermore, in NYC and increasingly in other school districts, veteran, older, and tenured teachers are being disciplined and fired for all kinds of stupid reasons--again to save money on budgets and retirement. Principals know they can pull all kinds of dirty stunts because the district will back them up clear through the hearing process and on through the court system courtesy of taxpayers.

[Hello_Kitty]

2. Ah okay, thanks. eom

[tonysam]

3. In a word, they're temps. n/t

[jtylerpittman]

4. the problem though

is if you dont have things like TFA and other teaching fellow programs you will not be able to staff some schools

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Not true

Teachers are being laid off so TFA fellows can be placed in classrooms.