By Steve Gunn
EAGnews.org

CHICAGO – Teachers unions say they oppose bullying in public schools.

The truth is that they set the example for all the other bullies to follow.

MORE NEWS: Know These Before Moving From Cyprus To The UK

How else do you explain the decision by Change.org to remove an online petition criticizing the Chicago Teachers Union for threatening to strike in the fall if they don’t get their way during contract negotiations this summer?

According to the Huffington Post, “The move comes after intense pressure from the labor movement and other progressive allies, who accuse (Change.org) of betraying its liberal roots” by partering with education reform groups StudentsFirst and Stand for Children in producing the petition.

The union folks are essentially saying “only publish the type of petitons we want you to publish, or we’re going to use our collective power to give you hell.” That’s called bullying, and it’s so very typical of Big Labor.

So-called “progressives” never cease to amaze us. They believe in free speech and expression, just so all expressed opinions fall in line with their opinions. Anyone who dissents with the “groupthink” majority should be censored.

Here’s how teacher Jennifer Johnson, one very small-minded member of the Chicago Teachers Union, explained her position to Change.org.

“I am very dismayed to discover that you have taken on an anti-labor client, targeting teachers, at the height of their contract negotiations. To promote an anti-labor group’s anti-labor petition in the middle of contract negotiation is unacceptable and dangerously close to crossing a picket line.”

MORE NEWS: How to prepare for face-to-face classes

Frankly, Ms. Johnson, we’re very dismayed that someone like you is allowed to be in the presence of children. And we have some startling news for you. The contract negotiations you refer to will affect thousands of people, and the money being fought over is supplied by taxpayers from every corner of the nation. Everyone has a right to check in with their opinions. Period.

Your self-serving union is asking for an absurd 30 percent raise, at a time when the Chicago school district is nearing a $1 billion deficit, and you expect shocked citizens to keep their mouths shut about it? Even worse, you want to make it impossible for people who find your union disgusting to have their voices heard.

You, Ms. Johnson, would fit in just fine in Cuba, China or Venezuela, where people with dissenting views are muzzled, locked up, or disappear without a trace.

But this is America. Your and your cohorts are free to employ your sickening Saul Alinsky tactics, just as we are free to tell Mayor Emanuel to stand his ground and make sure children, not school employees and their wealthy union leaders, are the top priorities in Chicago.