Teachers unions generally work for better teacher working conditions, which means better student learning conditions. They work for a strong contract and enforc

Teachers unions generally work for better teacher working conditions, which means better student learning conditions. They work for a strong contract and enforcement of that contract, which protects all worksers. They work for improved professional practice and improved outcomes for students. When you discuss the "lowest common denominator" teacher as being protected, what is really being protected is the contract. We MUST enforce the contract or it is weakened. The teacher's unions want highly effective, highly skilled teachers providing excellent public education for every child. We work for due process so that teachers have the opportunity to improve, but if they don't improve and the administrators do their jobs then they are let go, all within the scope of a well formed contract.