Anderson: The Union Isn’t Fighting for Kids Anymore—It’s Fighting for Control
By Christy Anderson | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Contracts. Impasse. Mediation. Oh my!
We’ve all seen the headlines, the crowd of red shirts, and the talking points about “fighting for teachers and students.” But as a teacher—and a former union member—I’m here to tell you: what’s happening with the Mesa Valley Education Association (MVEA) isn’t about students. It’s political theatre, and it’s about control.
Let’s start with a bit of history.
Teacher unions were initially formed to give educators a voice in working conditions. In the early 20th century, teachers—primarily women—were underpaid, lacked job security, and had no influence in how schools were run. The National Education Association (NEA), founded in 1857, and the American Federation of T...
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