Give teachers’ union a chance

I find it amazing that someone as intelligent as David Borja could have such slanted opinions where the establishment of a teacher’s union is concerned. There were comments made by Mr. Borja in the March 8 issue of the Saipan Tribune that were troubling to me. Firstly, union representatives from Guam came to Saipan to hear from Public School System teachers. None of us who have taught here for any length of time are naïve enough to think that PSS teachers would speak out in a forum that consists of members of PSS central or administrative staff. It is the same reason why the Parent’s Forum group for children with disabilities does not welcome special education teachers. They want to air their concerns freely without fear of some kind of reprisal, should they say something negative about a teacher or the program at a particular school. I have no problem with that. I believe they have the right to say what they want to at that group meeting.

Let’s be realistic! We as teachers are not invited to principal’s meeting where they may discuss sensitive issues related to us. They don’t want us to be part of their meetings any more than we want them to be part of ours. Is a teacher with two months left on his/her contract going to stand up and speak out when the administrator holds all the power as to their renewal? I don’t think so. It has been a one-way street for some time and all PSS teachers should realize the situation would never change unless we are protected from dismissal without cause. Doing your job well is no guarantee that you will be in that position after the expiration of your existing contract.

Mr. Norman and Mr. Thornburgh should not be offended for being asked to leave the meeting. If Mr. Thornburgh becomes a PSS teacher, as Mr. Borja suggests, he will be welcomed with open arms to any future union gatherings.

In another article in the March 8th issue related to the establishment of a union, Mr. Borja suggests that a union is not credible if it retains ineffective teachers. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The tenure a teacher earns is not a guarantee of lifetime employment. A teacher can be dismissed for just cause—of which ineffective teaching is one reason for such a dismissal. His/her administrator must document a teacher’s ineffectiveness over time and all efforts must be made to help that teacher become more effective. If all efforts fail, the teacher can certainly be dismissed even when he/she has tenure. Does the system we have now ensure that all ineffective teachers are dismissed? I think that we all know the answer to that question. I think Mr. Borja and others at the administrative level should give the union a chance before condemning its formation.

Paul F. Joyce
Special Education teacher