NJ Gov Christie smacks down teachers union

[spidey07]

Christie for president in 2012? Need many more like him. It's a shame that his total common sense seems to be in such rarity with politicians.

http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/07/22/n-j-gov-christie-vs-unions/

"You're not compensating me for my education and you're not compensating me for my experience," she bluntly told New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at a crowded town hall meeting.

"Well, you know what?," the Governor shot back. "You don't have to do it."

The crowd erupted into applause at his rejoinder.

"Teachers go into it knowing what the pay scale is," Christie explained, "and what I'm saying is, is that in times of economic crisis, this whole argument is over the fact that I asked people to not take a raise for a year and to pay one and-a-half percent of their salaries towards their benefits, and your union has said that that is the greatest assault on public education in the history of the state. That's why the union has no credibility, stupid statements like that."

The crowd applauded again.

Read more: http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/07/22/n-j-gov-christie-vs-unions/#ixzz0uQktcs7p

 

[Infohawk]

I just want to be clear: this is a news story about a quip from a politician?

 

[ichy]

Christie is 100x better than John Corslime. Good for the voters of NJ for throwing that clown out.

 

[Tristicus]

Christie is a breath of fresh air.

 

[StageLeft]

I just want to be clear: this is a news story about a quip from a politician?

Specifically a quip from a politician saying things most of us wish the politicians would say but never say.

 

[ichy]

Christie needs to lose some weight. IMO he's the best realistic presidential choice I can think of, but Americans like a photogenic candidate. Christie looks like Jabba the Hut.

 

[umbrella39]

Christie for president in 2012?

LMAO, run him in 2012, 2011, 2010... I mean literally run him. He's a slob and an idiot.

 

[her209]

LOL Jersey

 

[ichy]

How is he an idiot?

 

[dainthomas]

65k seems like a low average for a profession where a large percentage have graduate degrees. Especially with the cost of living in NJ.

But all the rich parents send their kids to private schools anyway, so this doesn't affect them. Only the deluded saps that read Fox News blogs think it's funny that the people teaching (raising) their kids are disgruntled and/or underpaid.

 

[thepd7]

They are both idiots (governor and teachers union). Teachers union because if no one is getting fired, no raise and 1.5% loss (now having to pay that to benefits) is getting off easy in this economy. I took a 5% pay cut for 6 months and no raises for 2 years and I was happy.

The governor is an idiot because attacking teachers is a bad idea and just because someone took a low-paying job with good benefits doesn't mean they can't be upset if the benefits get taken away. I guarnatee you there are other ways for him to be cutting the budget, he should look for those first.

 

[drebo]

65k seems like a low average for a profession where a large percentage have graduate degrees. Especially with the cost of living in NJ.

But all the rich parents send their kids to private schools anyway, so this doesn't affect them. Only the deluded saps that read Fox News blogs think it's funny that the people teaching (raising) their kids are disgruntled and/or underpaid.

A "large percentage" of public school teachers do NOT have graduate degrees. A teaching credential is NOT a graduate degree.

Also, 65K for 9 months of 8-3 work is pretty damn good.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

65k seems like a low average for a profession where a large percentage have graduate degrees. Especially with the cost of living in NJ.

But all the rich parents send their kids to private schools anyway, so this doesn't affect them. Only the deluded saps that read Fox News blogs think it's funny that the people teaching (raising) their kids are disgruntled and/or underpaid.

I believe you a largely correct here, especially as Christie phrases his billion dollar + cuts like they are only coming out of the teachers' pockets and not affecting things like class size and school programming. I am sure the union is correct when they said this a large affront to public education, there has to be a lot trimmed - and I now that the schools (at least by me) don't have the incredible amount of fat that other programs can have. That being said the union does need to compromise a little here, as I am sire they will.

 

[her209]

They are both idiots (governor and teachers union). Teachers union because if no one is getting fired, no raise and 1.5% loss (now having to pay that to benefits) is getting off easy in this economy. I took a 5% pay cut for 6 months and no raises for 2 years and I was happy.

Do you expect to be compensated for taking the pay cut and raise when the economy turns around? Do you think your company will compensate you for your "sacrifice" when the economy comes around?

 

[CLite]

65k seems like a low average for a profession where a large percentage have graduate degrees. Especially with the cost of living in NJ.

But all the rich parents send their kids to private schools anyway, so this doesn't affect them. Only the deluded saps that read Fox News blogs think it's funny that the people teaching (raising) their kids are disgruntled and/or underpaid.

Uhm, it is quite a good salary when you factor in the benefits, length of school year, hours, and most importantly job security.

Next up for NJ = get rid of the multitude of municipalities.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

A "large percentage" of public school teachers do NOT have graduate degrees. A teaching credential is NOT a graduate degree.

Also, 65K for 9 months of 8-3 work is pretty damn good.

I know in my neighborhood the teachers that hold master's degrees is 80%+ of the population, so I would disagree with you there.

And I know plenty of teachers, none of which work 8-3. They are there early, work late and do grading and planning on the weekend. I am sure there are people who do the bare minimum, but in my experience that is the minority. I wouldn't say 65K average (that includes many working below that) is good pay for dealing with some of things they need to.

 

[Kappo]

Do you expect to be compensated for taking the pay cut and raise when the economy turns around? Do you think your company will compensate you for your "sacrifice" when the economy comes around?

Mine does. Don't have one of those jobs? Pick something else.

But, but, my cankles won't let me get to my computer and my cheeto-encrusted fingers can't type out the whole word "monster.com"!

Life sucks sometimes, and it isn't always fair. I know, very contrary to what the left says, but some of us live in reality instead of "gimmie-gimmie" land.

 

[drebo]

I know in my neighborhood the teachers that hold master's degrees is 80%+ of the population, so I would disagree with you there.

And I know plenty of teachers, none of which work 8-3. They are there early, work late and do grading and planning on the weekend. I am sure there are people who do the bare minimum, but in my experience that is the minority. I wouldn't say 65K average (that includes many working below that) is good pay for dealing with some of things they need to.

I call shens.

My wife is a teacher. The only person with a graduate degree in her school is the principal. This has been the case with all of my teachers, as well, except my high school Drama, Choir, and AP English Lit teachers.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

in before classy the race card specialist has to say something about this.

 

[her209]

Life sucks sometimes, and it isn't always fair.

Translation: The teachers' union is getting in the way of what we want.

 

[her209]

in before classy the race card specialist has to say something about this.

What does that make you? The "race card" card specialist?

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

65k seems like a low average for a profession where a large percentage have graduate degrees. Especially with the cost of living in NJ.

you forgot the more than generous benefits and pensions that they will be collecting in 30 years for the rest of their lives.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

What does that make you? The "race card" card specialist?

i dunno, i'm not chinese.

 

[Kappo]

Translation: The teachers' union is getting in the way of what we want.

Hmm... cater to the minority, or do what is good for the whole state.... sounds more like people who need to make cutbacks are getting in the way of what someone else wants.

Decisions, decisions.

Everyone needs to pitch in during times of need, not just the other guy.

 

[PClark99]

I call shens.

My wife is a teacher. The only person with a graduate degree in her school is the principal. This has been the case with all of my teachers, as well, except my high school Drama, Choir, and AP English Lit teachers.

My wife is a teacher too, in NJ to boot.

In her district about 6 yrs ago there was incentive, read extra pay, for getting a graduate degree. So her and a bunch of her peers put in the extra effort to obtain the degree and reap the benefit. Subsequently it was negotiated out of their package the next contract. Too many people took advantage.

As for working 8-3, well thats not exactly the case, there are a number of things that happen that call for extra effort. As for the nine months, well until they make school a year round process thats not their fault.

Either way, Christie is being very aggressive in going after the teachers union, since obviously the problem with the school system are all their fault. Maybe he should be looking at overhauling the administration side of things as well. How many school superintendents at 400k a year do we need?

The teachers union isn't right either, most teachers really don't care for the message, they really just want to be there for the students.

Christie at least right now appears to have the balls to do something, how big those balls are come midterm elections and reelection time is another matter.