To the editor: I used to be an worker of the Los Angeles Unified Faculty District for practically 40 years, most of which I used to be in administration. Not like a few of my administrative colleagues, I used to be a really sturdy supporter of United Lecturers Los Angeles, the district’s lecturers union. (“L.A. teachers union supports blocking U.S. sale of about $20 billion in weaponry to Israel,” Oct. 25)
I believed then, as I do now, that lecturers wanted the safety of the union from actions by the district or people that violated lecturers’ rights. Additionally, I supported the proper to collectively cut price for first rate wages and contribute to the welfare of all lecturers within the LAUSD.
Nonetheless, I used to be appalled to be taught of the union’s management taking a public stand on behalf of the Palestinians. I might have felt precisely the identical approach had the union management made a public outcry supporting Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023, assault during which innocents have been slaughtered by Hamas.
In my view, particular person union leaders have the proper proper to state their very own political beliefs publicly, however I strongly query their proper to state them because the authorized place of the union’s multitude of members.
UTLA’s job is to signify and defend the pursuits of all lecturers within the district, to not publicly declare political positions on behalf of the union and its members.
Stu Bernstein, Santa Monica
