Teachers Union Deserves Support

As a teacher and union member, I feel that Marion B. Zenoff’s recent letter (“Teacher Union Leaders Out of Touch,” March 28) was a disgrace to the profession.

Zenoff claims to be a member of the Irvine Teachers Assn. but truly is not. A genuine union member must do more than simply pay dues. Although it is not essential that each member become directly involved in all union activity, it is critical that all members publicly support the union. Zenoff has presented public complaints about ITA and, by definition of the word, is thus not a union member.

No union leader has ever approached Zenoff for opinions about the union’s direction? I recommend that Zenoff attend a union meeting. This is the proper forum for expressing dissatisfaction. This is where the value of unity becomes so evident. But to express feelings of discontent in front of the public is to give the appearance of unprofessionalism and disorganization on the part of teachers.

I, like all teachers, want to help children. But I must first secure my own welfare to enable myself to do so. The union helps me do this by fighting to prevent further pay cuts which would force me out of the profession.

I do not suppose that Marion Zenoff has ever written a letter thanking the union for maintaining a respectable quality of life for teachers. Perhaps it is time for some teachers to stop asking what the union can do for them and to start asking what they can do for the membership as a whole.

JEFFREY ALLEN WOLLARD

Laguna Niguel