Why is Nicholas Kristof Bashing Teachers’ Unions?
by the Aspen Institute
Nicholas Kristof makes an interesting point about teacher pay in today’s New York Times.
In 1970, in New York City, a newly minted teacher at a public school earned about $2,000 less in salary than a starting lawyer at a prominent law firm. These days the lawyer takes home, including bonus, $115,000 more than the teacher, the McKinsey study found.
But then, as is Kristof’s habit, he feels the need to “balance” this plea for higher teacher pay with some rather shallow union bashing.
Look, I’m not a fan of teachers’ unions. They used their clout to gain job security more than pay, thus making the field safe for low achievers. Teaching work rules are often inflexible, benefits
