ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, February 27, 1997            TAG: 9702270063
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-1  EDITION: METRO 
COLUMN: what's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED


ARE TEACHERS IN UNIONS, OR AREN'T THEY?

Q: I keep seeing the National Education Association and Virginia Education Association referred to as unions. I thought they were professional organizations. Legally and professionally, are they unions or professional associations? V.B., Blacksburg

A: They're professional organizations.

The NEA also meets the definition of a labor union because it recommends that local affiliates strike if necessary to achieve collective goals. Several states have had teacher strikes.

This policy was endorsed as recently as July by the NEA's representative assembly, composed of delegates from state and local levels.

Because the VEA and its local affiliates send delegates to the NEA assembly, some observers - usually local school board members - see a union connection.

In Virginia, a public employees' association cannot be a labor union in the fullest sense of the term.

State law says any public employee who strikes is "deemed to have terminated his employment." The law also bars governing bodies from collective bargaining.

The VEA does represent teachers in relations with school boards and local governments, and will assist a teacher pursuing the grievance procedure.

The VEA's real clout is in the political arena, where its members cast a lot of ballots. Candidates receiving its endorsement in school board, local government and General Assembly races have a big advantage.

Do these things constitute union activities in Virginia? Legally, apparently not. Perceptions, though, depend on whether the issue is viewed from a school board perspective or a teacher perspective.

Salem's top salaries

Q: About a week ago your column listed the top 10 salaries for Roanoke and Roanoke County public officials and employees. Can you please provide the same kind of list for Salem? G.M., Salem

A: Salem's salaries are:

Randy Smith, city manager, $98,018; Wayne Tripp, school superintendent, $91,995; Forest Jones, assistant city manager and council clerk, $81,528;

Fred King, commonwealth's attorney, $80,891; Frank Turk, finance director, $75,640; Chance Crawford, clerk of court, $73,528;

Michael Bryant, assistant school superintendent, $72,435; Douglas Smith, electric department director, $70,262; James Bryant, police chief, $65,270.

Tied for the 10th spot at $63,800 are five school officials: Lewis Romano, director of student services; Ron Wall, director of operations; Joe Kirby, director of instruction; Martha Ratcliff, director of personnel; and Salem High Principal John Hall.

Eight on the list have cars assigned for business use: Randy Smith, Douglas Smith, Tripp, Jones, Turk, Michael Bryant, James Bryant and Wall.

Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Maybe we can find the answer. Call us at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RAYR@Roanoke.com


LENGTH: Medium:   62 lines


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