Teachers and staff trying to unionize at a Pennsylvania charter school had a very common experience: They were
threatened with job loss and generally coerced not to support the union. The National Labor Relations Board is taking unfair labor practices charges to trial against Olney Charter and its operator, ASPIRA Inc.
[Assistant principal Lisette Agosto] Cintron warned staff that the school "would withhold a decision on the renewal of their contracts because [the school's] employees were seeking union representation," the document reads.
The school issued a disciplinary warning to teacher Amelia DeGory—a vocal union supporter—thus making good on the administrators' "stated intention to play 'hardball,' " according to the complaint.
What's more, the charter school is using public money—$17,094 so far—to hire a law firm to fight the unionization effort. While the threats toward teachers are exactly what most workers trying to unionize face, that use of public money to fight an organizing effort is telling. This is one of the big reasons that Walmart heirs and hedge fund billionaires put so much money into policies that promote charter schools: to keep chipping away at workers' ability—any workers, anywhere—to fight for better wages and working conditions.