If someone does a better job at something, shouldn’t she be compensated accordingly?

This was the question that came to mind after I read that Mandy Manning had been chosen 2018 National Teacher of the Year.

Here is what NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia had to say about this exceptional woman:

“Mandy is a shining example of how teachers transform the lives of their students every day, engaging them and creating enthusiasm for learning … she takes the time to connect with all of them one-on-one to find out who they are and discover their passions. Mandy sees no barriers—only bridges. She believes in her students, and it shows in the growing confidence they have in themselves.”

I think most would agree that people who work harder and accomplish more should be paid more than those who do and accomplish less.

And yet, unions ignore this obvious fairness issue when they champion collective bargaining as the answer to teacher compensation in schools.

Collective bargaining results in a salary guide where teachers are compensated, not by how well they do their jobs, but by how long they have been teaching in a school district.

So, if you put in more time, you will get paid more – it doesn’t matter how well you teach your students.

How is that fair?