Ad campaign targets D.C. teachers union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Ad-campaign-targets-D_C_-teachers-union-668266-101929903.html

By: Lisa Gartner
Examiner Staff Writer
August 31, 2010

The Washington Teachers' Union is the target of an aggressive advertising campaign created by an organization founded by an anti-union lobbyist.

Actors depicting teachers, students and parents in a television commercial, full-page newspaper ads, a billboard, and a Farragut North Metro station sign say the union "put politics ahead of my child's education" and "makes it almost impossible to fire bad teachers."

The Center for Union Facts, which created the ads, is a self-proclaimed "watchdog" against "abuses of power" by unions. Lobbyist Richard Berman owns several nonprofits funded by undisclosed companies and individuals, such as the Center for Consumer Freedom. Tobacco company Philip Morris has admitted to putting $600,000 into that center, which is a coalition of restaurants and food companies.

On TeachersUnionExposed.com/DC, the Center for Union Facts says the union antagonizes schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, who can "shake up this failing education system."

"Someone's got to put pressure on obstructionist unions to get out of the way. Our school systems are in dire straits," spokeswoman Sarah Longwell said.

FULL story ast link.