Unions are important

To the editor:

Unions are important. Unions give balance to employee/employer relations as they provide a way that the larger number of employees can communicate effectively with those who run the organization. It would be very costly for any large organization to negotiate with each employee individually. Unions strive to keep working conditions and compensation equitable.

School employee unions are no different from other professional labor unions. Unions are charged with providing protections to employees by negotiating fair contracts and representing individuals who may be in conflict with their principals or supervisors. Union leaders are the folks that District leaders talk to when issues arise.

In my career in the Mat Su School District, I served as Mat Su Education Association (MSEA) president, high school principal, and district superintendent. I was able to see the importance of unions from varied perspectives.

• Did I always agree with the District representatives when I was MSEA president? No, but I was able to speak with those individuals and come to agreements.

• Did the teachers with whom I worked always agree with my decisions? No, but it was helpful to have union representatives from my school work with me to find solutions.

• Did I always agree with MSEA leadership when I was superintendent? No, but their leaders and I were able talk together to find common ground.

Teacher union leaders are professional teachers, not professional union organizers. They have worked side by side with those who have elected them to lead. They will return to their classrooms when their union responsibilities are over. Supporting our teachers means supporting their teachers’ union.

Patricia Chesbro,

Wasilla