I come from union workers (I spent a summer vacation walking the picket LINE with my dad and sister one year). I tried to unionize Macy's and was harassed for it by management. I became a teacher and one reason I chose that profession when I had to change careers was due to their union. When I got my certificate there were NO JOBS opening and I sub ed every day for 2 years until class size reduction finally created openings. While I was a sub I stuck with my fellow teachers and marched with them (even when it rained in southern CA). Other subs crossed the picket line since schools stayed open. Kids were given coloring books and a hundreds had to sit in the cafeteria for a week. When I was finally given a contract the teachers at two of the schools I subbed at and marched with requested me to Human Resources. I was later told one of the main reasons was due to not crossing the line.

I became the union rep, went to many union rallies, etc and was harassed by every single admin in every school I taught at. I would do it again too. School teachers are not free baby sitting services. They work 50+ hour weeks and make very little considering their education and experience compared with other professionals. It is about time this country respect teachers and stop treating them as glorified babysitters or free day care. Schools care about $$$, not the kids. I learned that fact pretty damn fast.