The educational field of the workforce always seems to get the short hand when it comes to appropriate salaries and benefits, not to mention a lack of jobs for those educated to teach. However, at least on some level a step forward in the right direction occurred right in Baltimore, Maryland, when the majority of teachers in Baltimore City had rejected a Baltimore Teachers Union contract.
The apparent issue is the “race to the top” merit pay that is relatively standard among teachers. Based on the scores of students determine which teachers will get the highest pay. Unfortunately, many educators don’t like that! You can understand why. One particular part of the contract churned some stomachs, too: it proposed power to any school to redefine a contract from within said school. In other words, the administration of any given school can change up the faculty however they choose. Once again, teachers in Baltimore didn’t like that; it’s understandable. Furthermore, the contract is being sent back with an effort not to ratify certain statements but to clarify certain statements, hence the reason why it’s a “temporary” victory. Baltimore teachers might get what they want to some degree; on the other hand, they might not want. Whatever the case, their voices were heard for sure.
Many are saying, unfortunately, that the victory won’t have any lasting effect; but the honest truth is this show of authority from teachers is rare. Hopefully, this is a sign that in the future more power will be shown from teachers to fight for a fair hand, providing more job security and stability for years to come.