Once powerful teachers union faces tough times with Christie [View All]

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Once powerful teachers union faces tough times with Christie

By Josh Margolin/Statehouse Bureau
December 05, 2009, 8:30PM

It was August 2008 and the New Jersey Education Association, the powerful teachers union, was at the zenith of its influence.

The union’s then-president was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, hobnobbing with the country’s political elite: senators, business leaders, would-be cabinet members. At the same time, Gov. Jon Corzine publicly defended the union and his close ties to it after agreeing — without telling lawmakers — to a controversial NJEA-favored pension maneuver.
Today, after two decades at the top of New Jersey’s political establishment, the world has turned upside down for the NJEA.

Corzine lost the election to Republican Chris Christie, who waged a public battle against the NJEA and other public-sector labor unions during the campaign. He says his mandate to bring a new era to Trenton will include a clampdown on the teachers union and education agenda that may advocate changes the NJEA will not welcome,
So the 200,000 member union now finds itself in the unusual position of trying to make nice to someone it was tearing apart only a month ago.

Shortly after the election, NJEA president Barbara Keshishian, who has never met Christie, said the union contacted his office to offer congratulations and set up a meeting.
None has been scheduled.

"The NJEA and groups like it had a very good run for the better part of a decade or more," said Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth), who chaired Christie’s campaign. "It’s going to change."
"The jury’s out," he said, "as to whether they’re the second-biggest loser (behind Corzine), but there’s at least a tie and they’re in the running," said former Republican state chairman Tom Wilson, who advised the Christie campaign. "After this last election, they shouldn’t expect to have the door of the governor’s office open to them."

Keshishian said the union "looks forward to sharing our thoughts" with the new governor. "We certainly care about the future of public education and we believe Governor-elect Christie cares about that also," she said.

Christie’s feelings toward the NJEA are no secret. He attacked the union during campaign debates and stump speeches and refused to ask for its coveted endorsement.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/once_powerful_teachers_union_f.html