Member fails to see the union’s ‘power’

Re “Powerful Teachers Union Is in the Thick of Ballot Battles,” Sept. 28

I am baffled by the media’s habit of referring to teacher unions as powerful. As a member of United Teachers-Los Angeles for 18 years, I don’t think it is powerful in the least. The last significant raise was in 1989, and that was taken away the next year. Since then, we have had our benefits eroded. More important, our ability to teach has been limited by interference from Washington, Sacramento and downtown “experts” who believe that scripted programs will solve socioeconomic issues. There is no check on bloated and inept administration. We are constantly under threat from the governor, with three anti-teacher initiatives on the ballot this year alone. How is it that we are powerful? I feel vulnerable.

WILL OLLIFF

Culver City