August 30, 2010 — Press Release
For Immediate Release
Center for Union Facts
August 30, 2010
Contact: Sonny Bunch — 202.463.7106
Advertising Campaign Criticizes D.C. Teachers Union for Blocking Reform with Lawsuit
Union Watchdog Launches Print, Radio, and Television Campaign in Washington to Educate the Public about Teachers Unions
Washington – In response to the Washington Teachers’ Union’s threats to file a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 241 teachers fired by the D.C. Public School system, The Center for Union Facts (CUF) has launched a new, high-saturation campaign in the District callingout the teachers union for acting as a constant impediment to education reform.
A new television commercial, along with series of full-page ads in The Washington Post Express, a radio commercial, and a mobile billboard in Washington D.C. are educating District residents about how the teachers union protects incompetent teachers, demoralizes good teachers, blocks reform, and hurts D.C.’s public education system.
“After years of obstructionist tactics and demands designed to maintain the status quo, the Washington Teachers’ Union finally signed a historic contract that would allow good teachers to be paid more money and ineffective teachers to be fired,” said CUF spokesperson, Sarah Longwell. “But now that those reforms are being implemented, the teachers union is once again standing in the way of progress with this lawsuit.”
The new television commercial, which is running on both network and cable television in D.C. asks, “What do you love about the D.C. teachers union?” Sardonically, a mother, a student and a teacher reply respectively: “I think it’s great how they put politics above my child’s education”; “It’s cool how the union makes it almost impossible to fire bad teachers”; and, “It’s impressive how my dues money supports politicians I don’t even like.”
The mobile billboard and full-page ads in the Express picture a young student with the headline, “I Won’t Cure Cancer.” The ad goes on to say, “At every turn, the Washington Teachers’ Union has tried to block the basic reforms needed to fix our failing schools. Without top-notch teachers in every classroom and a no-excuses commitment to quality education, we rob children of the opportunity to achieve their true potential.”
“Threatening to file a class-action lawsuit because teachers who were rated ‘ineffective’ were fired illustrates that the Washington Teachers’ Union has no intention of actively participating in efforts to improve D.C.’s woefully underperforming schools,” concluded Longwell.
To learn more or to see our ads visit: http://www.teachersunionexposed.com/dc. For further information or to arrange an interview please call Sonny Bunch at (202) 463-7106.
TeachersUnionExposed.com is a project of the Center for Union Facts (www.UnionFacts.com). CUF is a nonprofit organization supported by foundations, businesses, union members, and the general public. We are dedicated to showing Americans the facts about today’s union leadership.