LaborPains.org

For Immediate Release
July 8, 2011
Center for Union Facts
For More Information, Contact:
Sonny Bunch, 202-463-7106

Center for Union Facts Applauds Utah’s Move Towards Merit Pay,
Asks “What Is the Utah Education Association Afraid Of?”

State Teachers Union Planning Rallies to Oppose Paying Teachers More Based on Merit

Washington D.C.— Today, the Center for Union Facts applauded the Ogden School District for pushing for the gradual introduction of merit pay in the school district, and questioned why the state’s teachers unions were so scared by the idea of paying their members according to the quality of their work.

“Merit pay is one of the best ways to attract a higher class of candidates to the education profession,” said Sarah Longwell, the Communications Director of the Center for Union Facts. “Studies have shown that teacher quality is the most important in-class factor when it comes to student success. Instead of paying people simply for sticking around or getting a masters’ degree, we should pay people based on their talent and how well they educate our kids. In no other profession is pay tied less directly to success than in education.”

Longwell also questioned plans by the Utah Education Association to hold a rally next week protesting the move.

“What is the Utah Education Association afraid of?” Longwell asked. “Why are the unions worried about their members making more money if they perform more admirably? Teachers unions always say they’re interested in helping children, but it’s hard to see how encouraging mediocrity in the classroom is good for our kids,” Longwell added.

For more information or to schedule an interview with a CUF representative contact Sonny Bunch at 202-463-7106.

The Center for Union Facts is a non-profit organization supported by foundations, businesses, union members, and the general public. We are dedicated to showing Americans the facts about today’s union leadership.

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Last week, responding to the USA Today’s editorial against the deceptively-named Employee Free Choice Act (worth a read), AFL-CIO President John Sweeney wrote that we “don’t want a real debate on the bill.” Give me a break! The only people unwilling to discuss EFCA are the labor unions and their toadies in Congress.

If you’re a regular visitor to either UnionFacts.com or EmployeeFreedom.org, you might have noticed our debate challenge counter. A few weeks ago we put it up after American Rights at Work—Sweeney’s front group—refused to debate EFCA. Since then, we’ve reached out to others, including the Minnesota DFL to debate the issue. They’ve all refused to defend their own bill.

So if Sweeney really wants to have a “real debate” about the Employee Free Choice Act, he can have someone of his staff call me at (202) 463-7106. I’ll be waiting by the phone.

A survey released today by the non-profit Employee Freedom Action Committee (EFAC) revealed that Representative Thomas Allen trailed United States Senator Susan Collins in head-to-head general election match-up. Rep. Allen’s prospects are not improved by his support of the misleadingly named Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or “card-check” legislation that Mainers oppose. Three times as many Mainers said they were more likely to oppose Rep. Allen due to his support for card-check than said they would be more likely to support him.

According to the survey, Maine residents oppose the EFCA proposal by a sizeable 30% margin (57%-27%). The bill is opposed across demographic and political lines in the state as a majority of men, women, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents stated their dissent. When the legislation was explained in greater detail, the results were even more dramatic. 92% of respondents believe that employees should have the right to vote on forming a union by an election where each individual’s vote is kept private.

The survey paints a bleak picture for Rep. Allen’s chances in November. He trailed Senator Collins 53% to 37% in a head-to-head match-up. His support for card-check made 32% of voters less likely to support him and only 11% more likely to support his candidacy.

“An overwhelming number of Mainers oppose the undemocratic, deceptive, and easily corruptible card check process. This legislation would take away a fundamental American right to a private vote and deny millions of workers the simple right to decide whether they want to join a union or not,” Employee Freedom Action Committee spokesman Tim Miller said. “For his own benefit Tom Allen should join the working Mainers that repudiate this deceptive legislation which is being pushed by the big labor funders of his campaign.”

EFAC encourages candidates to oppose card-check legislation, cautioning them that it is unpopular with the public.

The telephone survey completed May 4-5, 2008 among 400 adults, statewide in Maine was conducted by NMB research. The margin of error is +/- 4.9%