Why Is It Always The AFT President And Not The NEA President On T.V.?

[Dinger]

I'm curious. Thank you in advance for any information you have on this.

[dkf]

1. Huh?

[Dinger]

2. When Was The Last Time Dennis Van Roekel Was On

the Sunday talk shows? When was the last time Randi Weingarten was on the Sunday talk shows? Hell, when was the last time Van Roekel was even on tv?
The NEA is twice the size of the AFT, but we rarely, if ever, hear from the NEA President. Just sayin'.

[dkf]

3. Your title is funky. You list the AFT prez twice.

[Dinger]

4. Ooops, Been A LONG Day. I FIxed It. Thanks For The Tip:)

Maybe I should just go to bed.

[dkf]

5. I know what you mean. :)

I'm pooped too.

[msongs]

6. hmm which union leader has bought into race to the top (of corporate profits from schools) nt

[Dinger]

8. Hmm, Kinda what I thought Too

Makes sense.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Randi is playing basketball with Arne?

:)

Seriously. Good question. Where was he yesterday? Why was he left out of NBC's hit piece?

[Smarmie Doofus]

9. She seems to tell them what they want to hear.

What I don't get is how she comes by her presidency of the AFT. No one *I* know likes her. ( Or at least thinks she's an effective spokesperson.)

So... is the President of AFT voted on directly by the membership? ( I should know this but, alas, do not. )

Anyone?

[Bozita]

10. Delegates to the AFT Convention are elected from within their locals.

At the Convention, the delegates cast their ballots for AFT officers.

If, for example, the union local from Podunk had 950 members and sent a delegation of 10 to the Convention, each delegate would cast 95 votes for the officers.

BTW, that's pretty standard in the labor union biz.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. She was re-elected in July

This was the first AFT presidential election since 1974 that another candidate challenged Randi. IIRC, the opposing candidate got 15% of the vote.

I've met her and like her better as a spokesperson than as a person. But then I kinda march to a different drummer I guess. :)

[femmocrat]

12. I saw Van Roekel today on a clip. It was on local TV, though.

He was talking about teacher evaluations and said that NEA doesn't want to keep bad teachers in the classrooms. That was about it.

I've seen more programming about education this week than I have in my entire life! Most of it showing only the viewpoint of the "reformers". I would have loved to see more of a response from the NEA which represents the largest union in America!

[Hannah Bell]

13. because if he had a higher profile, someone might question his $650K salary?

just a guess.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. I'm not a member but I sure wonder if he is earning that amount

I don't always agree with Randi but I feel like it's her job to be a face for teachers in the media. I'm always glad to see her, even if she says something I disagree with.

[Hannah Bell]

15. He apparently earns it by not defending his membership.

I understand what you're saying, & I agree in theory, but Randi's "defense" imo, is weak tea, & deliberately so. I've never seen an appearance by her where I felt she mounted a good defense.

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. She did a good job on Bill Maher about 6 months ago

And I'm giving her credit for not slapping Michelle Rhee last weekend.

[Hannah Bell]

17. made me laugh. i wish she had, by god!