Cerf’s power grab over contract benefits–is this the end of the Newark Teachers Union?
Here’s the question now in the Newark schools: Will the charm offensive pressed by Christopher Cerf, the governor’s man running the district, overpower the contractual rights of teachers and other school employee unions? Will Cerf’s sweet-talking to the school board and his road show with the mayor result in a major—perhaps fatal–blow to public employees and their bargaining units?
Cerf is trying to ignore his contractual obligations to bring in a new prescription drug provider with business connections to the insurance broker run by George Norcross, the South Jersey Democratic boss and virtual co-governor with Chris Christie. The Newark Teachers Union (NTU) is trying to fight the switch.
Cerf’s antipathy to the union is long-standing. The opportunity to break the union’s remaining power is obvious. Since Christie cut a deal with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to bring in Cerf, the former state education commissioner and national charter school champion, as Newark superintendent, virtually all vocal community opposition to state control and privatization has ceased.
The loudest voices in he past—including those of the Newark Students Union and members of the elected school advisory board—have oddly fallen silent. Indeed, the charismatic leader of the Newark Students’ Union, Jose Leonardo, has quit his leadership position in the union–but remains a member of the rump “Newark Cerf’s power grab over contract benefits–is this the end of the Newark Teachers Union? | Bob Braun's Ledger:
