To the New York Post, April 21, 2009

We at the United Federation of Teachers are proud of our advocacy on behalf of children and the educators who teach them, and we won't apologize for lobbying for a safety net for those New Yorkers most vulnerable to budget cuts (“How to Buy a City Council,” April 14).

The Post obviously thinks we should simply trust those in authority to always make decisions that are best for kids. But as we have seen, that would likely result in struggling public schools being abandoned, parents being denied a say in their children’s education and teachers being limited to doing as they are told with no input in how their schools are run. And those of you who wrongly view education as a business overlook some very important points, including the crucial fact that the city has a responsibility to help all children and not just a few.

We are a union of educators fighting hard for children, parents and public schools. That will never change so the Post should get used to it.

Randi Weingarten, President
United Federation of Teachers