Regarding the op-ed “Make education a priority in Pa. budget” (March 22, TribLIVE) by Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association: I am writing to encourage public school teachers and PSEA members to challenge the leadership of this organization and its policies.

There is clearly a crisis in the employment sector in the field of education. Why did the PSEA not see this coming? Why has the PSEA not taken a more aggressive approach in quieting critics who attack teachers? Why are teachers in the state not making as much as PSEA employees, even administrative assistants?

The PSEA is losing its credibility with many members, such as myself and my wife. Our state and country have demonized teachers and police officers. The PSEA has not thrown a punch, a haymaker, in the fight. The PSEA fights with kid gloves.

Salary and benefit packages in the PSEA are much better than the teachers they represent. Ruthann Waldie, UniServ representative and trainer/investigator, makes $284,000, according to unionfacts.com. Executive director James Vaughan makes $246,000. Askey makes $241,141. PSEA staff lawyers/general counsel make $170,000. My regional field director makes $176,000. My UniServ representative makes over $150,000.

Why does the PSEA scare its own teachers at the bargaining table? Why do they not demand more for teachers? It is very difficult for me to believe and trust in the organization when I see the salary and benefits packages that have come on the back of my labor. Wake up, teachers. We can do better than PSEA.

Joseph P. Ferguson

Dunmore

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