The stereotypical impression of Labor unions is that their primary purpose is to collectively represent their membership in matters that relate to bargaining with employers on pay and other employment benefits. This narrow perspective on the purpose and function of labor unions by the general public clouds the benefits provided to not only teachers, but to the students they teach as well.

It is true that the Union collectively bargains for better teacher wages and benefits. This service is critical to retain quality teachers in the education field. There is a large disparity between teachers’ wages and professionals with equivalent education levels. Without recognizing, through pay, the importance of teachers on the future of students and communities, a scenario ripe for teacher defection from the education field is created. Those with a passion and talent to educate are forced to seek alternative professions to support their families and modest lifestyles. Though wages and benefit negotiation are the most publicized function of unions, they do serve other roles and purposes.

Teachers unions, like the National Education Association (NEA), also serve as governing bodies that set minimum standards to ensure teacher and student success. These standards could include; ongoing training requirements, maximum class sizes, teacher workload, etc… Unions provide teachers the collective power to negotiate proven environments to make them more effective teachers and provide their students with the best learning environment and resources.

Collaboration with affiliate educational and governmental organizations is a tool the union can effectively leverage with its large membership base and centralized budget. Only through the collective strength of individual member teachers can the union effectively leverage its power to negotiate specific actions that need to be taken in order to close achievement gaps of low-income and minority students. Through union teachers, teachers unions represent the voice of under privileged students and leverage their collective power their needs and demands are seriously considered.

Although most see the purpose of unions in general as organizations with a singular mission to increase pay and benefits of their membership, their role is much greater. Teacher unions serve a much greater role in education. The strength the teacher’s union gains through its membership serves a much greater mission to ensure the best environment for teacher and student success. A closer look at labor’s role in education reveals the building blocks of an organization with a noble cause. An organization determined to; eliminate achievement gaps amongst students low-income and minority students, a mission to retain passionate/talented teachers, establish a process to ensure continuous teacher training, ensure the development of capable leaders. These missions and challenges that labor embraces are noble and necessary to ensure the continuous development and competitiveness of the country’s work force.