Teachers Saving Children® National Newsletter June 1998

In 1995, NEA Representative Assembly delegates directed the NEA president to negotiate with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) on unifying the two organizations into one. Since 1995, negotiating teams from the NEA and the AFT have been working to iron out the differences to prepare the Principles of Unity that will be considered by both unions this summer during their respective conventions. These Principles of Unity must be approved in secret ballot by two-thirds of the delegates to the 1998 RA for them to be adopted.

Although several pieces of important business items will be presented during the conventions, the merger issue and the secret ballot vote on the Principles of Unity are probably the most important. If these Principles of Unity are approved, the unification process of the NEA and the AFT will begin.

There is debate on both sides of the merger issue. Both the April and May issues of the NEA Today have featured detailed information about the proposed unity principles. There is also up-to-date information about the unity proposals through the World Wide Web. The direct Web address is www.nea.org/unity.

Now the question. If the merger is approved, what position will the new organization take regarding abortion? Currently, both the NEA and the AFT have pro-abortion positions.

The Resolutions represent the philosophy of the organization. NEA Resolution I-13 on Family Planning was adopted in 1985, amended in 1986, and reaffirmed every year since. It states: "The National Education Association supports family planning, including the right to reproductive freedom. The Association urges the government to give high priority to making available all methods of family planning to women and men unable to take advantage of private facilities. The Association further urges the implementation of community-operated, school-based family clinics that will provide intensive counseling by trained personnel."

The main objection to this Resolution is the term "reproductive freedom". According to the NEA, reproductive freedom "refers to dual rights - the rights to abortion and to carry a pregnancy to term." (Deceptions by the Radical Right against the National Education Association, NEA Human and Civil Rights, 1994, page 9,) [Emphasis mine].

The term "reproductive freedom" has also been used in NEA New Business Items. In 1990, NEA delegates easily passed New Business Item 65. It states: "NEA will oppose any legislation which will erode the status of Roe v Wade and/or which impedes access to and choice of reproductive health care options, by providing technical assistance to state affiliates." The Rationale for this New Business Item states that "NEA resolution supports family planning including the right to reproductive freedom. Erosion of reproductive rights by states, currently provided by Roe v Wade, must be challenged."

In 1992, the NEA delegates passed New Business Item 29 which states: "That the NEA Women and Girls Center for Change establish a $50,000 annual fund for grants to state affiliates actively participating in grassroots efforts to safe-guard reproductive freedom without governmental intervention. In keeping with the NEA Action Plan for Sex Equity, this effort shall continue until the Freedom of Choice Act is passed in Congress." The Rationale for this New Business Item states that "The Supreme Court has eroded reproductive rights, giving those rights to state legislatures and their governors. We must financially support advocacy efforts of state affiliates." Notice that the cost implication of this new business item is $50,000 annually.

At the 1992 Ohio Education Association Spring RA, a delegate speaking from the floor implied that the AFT did not have a pro-abortion position since this was an issue often used when AFT would come into a local to gain the right of becoming the bargaining union. As a point of information, OEA President Marilyn Cross stated "that the AFT has the same position as NEA on this issue [referring to reproductive freedom]".

Back in 1992, one of TSC's members contacted AFT to find out specifically its position on abortion. The following is quoted from the response letter and AFT's legislative and political activity resolution.

From the letter: "While no policy resolutions concerning abortion per se have been adopted, delegates to AFT's 1981 convention did approve the attached resolution, 'Women's Right to Choice' in response to the proposed Hyde Amendment in Congress."

Legislative and Political Activity Resolution:

72. WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOICE

"WHEREAS, women have the right to exercise control over their own bodies, and
WHEREAS, legislation has been proposed which would nullify this right;

RESOLVED, that the AFT strongly oppose any legislation or constitutional amendment which would abridge or deny women's right to choice in regard to reproductive freedom, and
RESOLVED, that the AFT ask the AFL-CIO to take similar action. (1981)"

It should be noted that the AFT definition of "reproductive freedom" is not known, but it is assumed that the definition is the same as the NEA's definition.

Therefore, it probably can be concluded that since both the NEA and the AFT currently have a pro-abortion position within their Resolution documents, that if the merger is approved, the new organization will also have a pro-abortion position within its Resolution document.

The 1998 NEA Convention will be held in New Orleans, LA, July 3-6, 1998. The AFT Convention will be held in New Orleans, LA, July 16-21, 1998. It is vital that you contact your delegates to these conventions, letting them know your philosophy on various issues including the "Principles of Unity" (the merger proposal) and the abortion issue. Get involved by contacting your delegates! They are your representatives!

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1998-99 MEMBERSHIPS

TSC membership is open to all pro-life/pro-family educators and concerned citizens. Please be advised that according to the TSC Constitution & Bylaws, the membership year is from September 1 - August 31. Annual dues are $25.00. A reduced rate of $10.00 is available for college students who are presently enrolled in a college or university undergraduate degree program and to retired educators who are currently receiving retirement benefits. Husband and wife may join under the same membership. Contributions and memberships are NOT tax deductible.

We are currently accepting new memberships for the 1998-99 membership year. Any new memberships received after June 1st are good until August 31, 1999. Renewal membership information will be sent to all current members in early July.

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AFFILIATE STATE CHAPTER UPDATE

Michigan: Full of hope and enthusiasm to become a viable state affiliate, the Michigan TSC Ad Hoc Committee approved its Constitution & Bylaws at its April 18, 1998 meeting. The committee then appointed the Board of Trustees members and its officers: Lois Wiergenga, Executive Director; Board Members: John Reutter, Assistant Executive Director; Ted DeRose, Secretary; Edmund Starrett, Treasurer; Jacquelyn Bolander; Ron Cain; and Richard Hewer.

TSC of MI has taken only its first steps. They are now completing the necessary paperwork to become an officially recognized state affiliate. Final approval is anticipated by fall of 1998. They look forward to the challenge of increasing their membership during the 1998-99 membership year. They thank all those who have shown support and have kept them in their prayers.

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TSC PUBLIC RELATIONS

Since its incorporation, information about TSC has been spreading across the nation primarily by word of mouth. Most individuals find out about TSC from a friend or colleague, but other creative ways are needed to spread the word as TSC grows and becomes more influential.

Summer will soon be here and another great way to spread the word is for pro-life organizations to distribute TSC brochures through their fair booths. TSC brochures also can be distributed through display tables or booths at conventions. If you have contacts with pro-life organizations and/or leadership, please contact TSC for details on how they can help us distribute TSC brochures through their organization.

Another way to spread the word is by placing TSC brochures on free literature racks in local Christian bookstores. If there is a Christian bookstore near you, check with the management to see if they would be willing to make TSC brochures available to the public.

One individual took the time to send a packet of pro-life educational materials, including a TSC brochure, to all the teachers within their school district as well as the surrounding districts in their county. What a great project idea for a local RTL chapter.

A special thanks to those individuals who have contacted TSC over the past several years for multiple copies of the brochure. Thanks for your help in spreading the word and encouraging teachers and other concerned citizens to join. The success of this organization depends on each of us doing our part in taking a stand for life. Your continued help is needed in recruiting the troops as we work together in this battle for life.

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