Reader comments
Jordan, Ogden teacher unions to share federal mediator

welcome to the REAL world. Folks are losing their jobs left and right, being forced to take furloughs and pay cuts. What makes you think, while on summer vacation for 3 months I might add, that you are immune?

Hey, you don't like it? QUIT!!!!

I just looked at the pay of a elementary principal and she is making about $100,000.00 per year. Plus benefits etc......

Jordan teachers know they will take a pay cut, even though that was not well reflected in this article. They would, however, like that pay cut to be similar to what teachers in other districts are taking, not a much bigger cut than others.

Which elementary principal is making 100,000? I think you just made that up.

Yes, the $100,000 principal salary is NOT a teacher's salary, da.

You never negotiate your pay?

That is one a principal who has over 25 years experience in their field and at least a Masters degree plus 40 university semester hours or an EdD. How much time do you have in your career and how much education? This person deserves the salary they are getting and in the business world for running a multi million dollar organization would receive similar compensation (I know, I do). You show your ignorance and your vindictiveness toward teachers and education in your post. Please present the facts correctly. Also, teachers contracts give them the time off. Don't like it and are jealous as your post suggest, why not go to college and get the degree and certificate and have what they have IF you can do their job.

Principals may earn some of their pay if they mowed the lawn or cleaned up a little. Start with the top heavy admin with the cuts then go after the benefits. What a total waste of money the education system is.

I'm guessing the mediator will cost a few bucks, which in turn, take MORE money away from teachers. I'm also guessing the mediator will look at Jordan's budget numbers and laugh in the union's faces. Duh -- there is no money this year. Be glad you have jobs!

Give the professional teachers credit and some deference, but if they are rank and file union workers they should get paid like factory workers. The teacher UEA is destroying public we by encouraging mediocrity.

Please reread the article Cost of Mediator - the feds are paying for the mediator that is why these two districts are using her.
According to the Utah Right's website there is no elementary principal in Jordan District that makes $100,000.
Curious as to why Ogden will not divulge their issues - hmmmmm

School Districts hate to have federal mediators come in because they do what is called "fact finding." In other words, they start going through district accounting books and uncovering hidden stashes of money they don't want the public to see. With the Jordan split, there books have been ripped to shreds, but I suspect that the Ogden district will settle before it reaches "fact finding."

Get a clue! If teachers want better pay, benefits, and respect and deference from the taxpayer try resigning from the UEA (the union that calls itself an "association"). Until then, get used to being treated like your average blue collar factory worker. The union is destroying public education just like the unions have destroyed the US auto industry. Unfortunately, many fantastic and gifted educators get lumped into the same category as the typical union teacher who hides in the crowd and accepts mediocrity. Be professional teachers, not rank and file union workers.

It is unfortunate to hear comments like "be glad you have a job" when teachers are the people who literally control the lives of our young people daily for a full school year. Ideally, we should be supportive of the caring professionals who dedicate much more than their salary's worth to the future generation. I'd wager that most people with the "be glad you have a job" mentality couldn't juggle the multiple demands of student discipline, curriculum, parent relations, school committees, and extra unpaid classes designed to increase teaching ability. It takes a special skill set to be a teacher. Thankfully, there are still people who are willing to get the degree, learn through experience, and then suffer the low pay and lower esteem of the public.

Ogden won't reveal their issues because they are trying to cut teacher salary while maintaining district official salaries. Teachers were told at the end of last year to expect a four percent pay cut. AT the time, district officials were getting no pay cut.

How can teachers expect to garner public respect when they embrace the union mentality of mediocrity? It is common knowledge that the UEA (utah's teacher union) protects incompetent teachers. When teachers become professionals again, then we'll talk about a raise. I drove by an intersection about ten years ago and shook my head in disgust as I watched teachers shout slogans while holding picket signs. For a brief moment I thought I was in Detroit or Philly.... union central. Unionization for school teachers was the biggest mistake ever? How will they ever unravel that one??? What a shame.

What is the true source of your anger at unions? If you have to go back ten years to mention a specific criticism of the UEA, that is a stretch. I support the UEA's efforts for do whatever it takes to have a strong public school system in Utah.

I am a teacher and I do not belong to a teacher's union. Less than half of the teachers in our school do. You all need to quit associating teachers with the teachers union. That is the only raise that teachers get when they quit the union. I am a hard working teacher who deserves more respect than I get. When I quit being an effective teacher then I would deserve to be fired. That is the problem with our system. Pay teachers what they deserve and do away with tenure and if a teacher isn't performing, fire them.

re:teacher | 12:44 p.m. July 7, 2009

There in lies the problem not a member of the union and talking tough!!

Maybe you should be fired!!

Teacher - does the teacher's association perform all of the negotiations with the school district regarding contracts? I believe they do, therefore, you may not be paying dues to your 'union' but you certainly are at their mercy.

The teacher association is NOT the problem. Utah is a right to work state and teachers DO NOT have to join "the union". Teachers organize for protection of their benefits,from unjustified complaints, poor working conditions.

The association DOES NOT protect "bad teachers". Our contracts state the procedure for helping and/or eliminating bad teachers. Bad teachers are a smear on all teachers. But principals protect bad teachers because they don't want to go through the steps necessary to eliminate "bad teachers".

However, teachers can also be unjustly treated by a principal or parents. I have assisted teachers in both positions and have helped relieve the additional stress on those teachers.

I'm curious why you refer to the Union as a "teacher association." Just because they call themselves and "association" does not make it true. Sounds like you've been indoctrinated like all of the other union teachers. Lowest wages, largest class sizes, poor working conditions??? Sounds like your union is doing a great job. When will Utah teachers learn that they are far better off without being institutionalized by a labor union? The Union bills itself as an organization that helps public education. Really? They care about kids? I guess teachers are naive too.

RE:Esteem of the public? | 9:17 p.m. July 6, 2009

I have taught for over twenty years and never seen an organized teacher strike in Utah. Maybe you were in Detroit tough guy!!!

Perhaps there was a one day walkout, which by the way was made up at a later date.

Maybe you are onto something!! Given the comments in the recent education articles here in the D-News teachers should strike.

Since when is wanting a better life unprofessional?

Athletes want to go to the BIG GAME in their respective sports because they get paid to be there.

Doctors perform more surgeries because they make more money by doing so.

Police officers work the evening shift at concerts because they get paid for there time.

Yet, if teachers ask for chicken feed they are unprofessional. Truth is I do not know anyone willing to work for free.

I know our legislature went on record as saying "Teachers are of such good morale character they will work for free". Do they work for free? Do you work for free?

Since when does the Union protect incompetent teachers?

You are grossly misinformed.

U Bee Smurt…Get it???