UPDATE:  New York Charter Schools Association blogger Joe Williams misreads the tea leaves as he looks at an item on the AFT Web site about the Florida charter school teachers' vote.  Joe seems to think there's something sinister going on, writing that the item "dutifully deletes all the two-way happy charter talk included in the other external press release version." 

Well, here are a few quotes from that article: 

BTU president and AFT vice president Pat Santeramo:  "This vote is historic. It shows that charter school teachers and staff recognize that unions must continue to be partners in Broward's educational system."

AFT president Edward J. McElroy: "[The national union] believes all teachers deserve an opportunity to bargain collectively for fair salaries, benefits and greater input in making the charter schools of Pembroke Pines schools of excellence. This vote makes that possible."

Grace Thomas, a Pembroke Pines third-grade teacher: "We really love our schools and believe that by forming a union, we will make them even better. Our hope has always been that by negotiating a contract, we will be able to give all teachers a voice so our schools remain great not only today, but long into the future."

Charter school teacher Khea Davis: "With a union, we will have greater access to high-quality professional development courses, the latest resources and a massive network of other education professionals."

Sounds like "two-way happy charter talk" to me.

 

A group of charter school teachers in Florida yesterday voted overwhelmingly to join the American Federation of Teachers.  A ninth-grade teacher at the school spoke about why her colleagues wanted to join the AFT: 

"With a union, we will have greater access to high-quality professional development courses, the latest research and a massive network of other education professionals," said Khea Davis, a ninth-grade teacher at Pembroke Pines Charter High School.

The AFT's statement notes that the AFT already represents charter school staff in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, and that the United Federation of Teachers, the AFT’s largest local, runs two charter schools of its own in New York City.

The Miami Herald reports that teachers at the school report say the issues that led them to form a union were a desire for a greater voice in school policies and for more stability, not for higher salaries.  (Nevertheless, a charter school operator is quoted in the article conjuring up scary scenarios about higher salaries.)
 
Edwize points out that the teachers had to overcome union-busting tactics from Broward County Commissioners. And Joe Williams sings the same old off-key song.  (Dude, are you going to sing that song for our entire road trip?)