I, too, am a member of UTLA.

What is most discouraging is when the chapter chair is a "lemon," which is the best way to describe someone who keeps an "enemies list" and uses it.

Abuse of power is a problem among some teachers, administrators, and union officials.

There are those in UTLA who abuse power.

Take the recent walkout/late-in demonstration, for example. Duffy called it a grassroots movement when in reality it was a top-down directive from the union. Then Duffy said that anyone who refused to participate in the so-called grassroots demonstration was a "scab." Trouble is, Duffy, you do not know the meaning of the word "scab." There was no strike authorization vote, not vote to support the demonstration, no vote, period -- save the recent vote on the proposal to increase union dues, which went down to defeat by a margin of two-to-one.

We only had one day to vote on the initiative at my site, not the required three. The chapter chair said the ballots were lost. I'm surprised she didn't claim that her dog ate them.

I wish the dog would devour her "enemies list" and all those other lists out there. The mean-spirited nature of some who have power within UTLA reveals why many people don't treat teachers like professionals.

Goodness, look at how they act.