Teachers unions present a choice for many in the educational profession in the US. While some do not ultimately join these unions, many still do. What are the reasons teachers find the most attractive in bringing them aboard the union train? Here are five advantages many find too good to pass up when it comes to joining a teachers union.
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Legal Representation
A very big reason for many teachers joining teachers unions relates to legal culpability. In today’s lawsuit-filled world, legal representation is not cheap or easy to secure if there ever is a legal issue to deal with. When part of a teachers union, however, this concern is often quite largely dispelled as many such unions offer their teacher members exclusive legal counsel, assistance, and full-on representation in many cases. This alone can be a very swaying reason to join.
Professional Support Network
Teachers often encounter any number of complex issues that can call for some supportive assistance to sort through. By being a teachers union member, many teachers reap the benefit of being a part of a massive network of support mechanisms, people, and programs. General support and even help with more finite issues is just a phone call away when part of the union. This, again, is itself a great advantage to membership.
Power of Combined Voice
Many people think of unions and immediately think of groups of people, together, voicing some strong opinion on a subject. While the “collective voice” element of unions isn’t all they are about, it is a big part of their structure and power. When a teacher joins a teaching union they certainly gain a greater voice in being a part of that collective communication device. With this collective voice, a teacher is then never really alone and has the backing of the whole group if their actions and desires are within the union’s established concordance.
Various Member Perks
In addition to all of the other, more education-related perks discussed above, union membership also quite frequently offers the enrolling a whole range of other, miscellaneous perks and benefits. Complimentary gym memberships, physician wellness programs, group events, parties, and celebrations, coupon offerings, and plenty more awaits the enrolled. While some give little value to this area in making the decision whether or not to join, some do take this range of potentially valuable side benefits into consideration.
Personal Networking Opportunities
Finally, while it may not be in the forefront of all discussion related to joining the union, many savvy and astute professionals understand the great opportunities union membership can offer when it comes to personal networking and the crafting of new and very valuable relationships. Unions present this ability with membership into a large group of like-minded and often very well-connected people. Sometimes, who you know really can make the ultimate difference in a very important matter. This fact alone brings many members to the group.
Unions are a great consideration for all manner of professionals, not just teachers. In the teaching world, however, these groups are just as prevalent and often incredibly important to their members’ everyday lives. For more information on teachers unions in the US, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers are among the leaders in the field and can be freely contacted for all manner of inquiry.
