Rep. Convention emphasizes strength through solidarity and action
Delegates to the 2011 Education Minnesota Representative Convention stepped firmly onto the convulsing political ground that threatens education quality and the rights of educators and other public employees.
“The struggle is about preserving basic human rights,” Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher said to the 535 convention delegates March 19.
Throughout the convention, participants focused on how to work effectively to blunt the attacks on public education and public employees posed by an unprecedented legislative assault in Minnesota. The fight is here and now, not just in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Rhode Island, Florida, Utah and other states where elected officials want to kill union rights, cut public services and adopt so-called education “reforms” that have no apparent proof of improving student achievement.
“The situation in Minnesota is equally as dangerous,” Dooher said. “We must take up the cause for all working people.”
Spreading the story about public education
Though conference action, the delegates agreed. They called for working with leaders in minority communities to address academic achievement gaps in effective ways. They called for more union education and member mobilization. And delegates reinforced commitment to telling the positive stories in public education more widely.
Part of that effort is already under way in the multi-media campaign, “I Raise My Hand.” The campaign began with more interactive media than in previous years. In addition to broadcast advertising throughout the state, the campaign invites the general public to do something to support schools and learning through the website, www.iraisemyhand.com. The campaign also uses social media to spread its reach and nurture feedback.
Delegates to the RC decided to add a video initiative for stories to place locally about teaching and learning.
They also wrote postcards and sent e-mails on behalf of the union’s positions to both lawmakers and the governor. Staff reported on several avenues of increased activism ignited by the political situation. Member involvement has risen measurably. The task is to sustain the efforts by activating more members, reaching out to allies, telling our stories of what’s happening in schools and keep creating relationships with elected officials and community leaders.
Emphasis on stronger unions
For union-building, delegates voted to improve internal education about the history and benefits of belonging to a union. Members can expect a visit soon from a union colleague to talk about what the union means and what they can do to help preserve hard-won rights that help students and educators. This month’s Minnesota Educator reflects the need for union-building with expanded coverage of unionism and the current threats to it. Other labor history resources will get renewed emphasis, too.
Acknowledging the urgency to support all educators struggling with the anti-union, anti-worker action, delegates contributed $3,800 for the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers work to stop bad legislation. Education Minnesota is matching this with $2 for each dollar delegates contributed, for a total of $11,400 to the cause.
The overall momentum of the convention pushed for effective ways to grow public support, which polls show already is high for the jobs educators do, and to work with others who are opposing the assaults on workers and public services.
Dayton receives warm welcome
The convention received Gov. Mark Dayton warmly when he committed to preserving collective bargaining rights and public employee pensions, both under attack in the Legislature.
The governor rebuked the ideological agenda evident in the Legislature in such proposals as limiting teacher bargaining to the summer months and freezing teacher pay.
The convention recognized outstanding professional achievement, too. Janet Luttmers of the Winona Education Association received the 2011 Peterson-Schaubach Leadership Award. Alan Horowiz, director of St. Paul’s Out for Equity program, received the Education Minnesota Human and Civil Rights Award this year. The convention also recognized new National Board Certified Teachers and recipients of grants from the Education Minnesota Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Delegate actions
In an important by-laws change for educational support professionals, delegates voted to change the dues structure for ESP members. The effect of the change will be to lower ESP dues to the union and, supporters believe, encourage fair share ESPs to come into full membership because it is more affordable. Another by-law change gives an NEA director at-large a seat on the Education Minnesota Governing Board. A third by-law change made a technical adjustment to ensure compliance with the federal Landrum-Griffin Act that governs labor unions.
The body also recommended two candidates for the Teachers Retirement Association board, Mary Broderick of St. Cloud and Leighton Fritz of the Minnesota State College Faculty in Winona.
March 24, 2011