By Steve Gunn
EAGnews.org

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The voters of Manchester, New Hampshire recently made a strong statement by approving a cap on local property taxes.

But the local teachers union has decided to ignore the will of the voters and try to find a way around the tax cap so union members do not have to make any financial concessions, according to a news report in the Manchester Union Leader.

MORE NEWS: From Classroom to Consulate Chef: Culinary Student Lands Dream Job at U.S. Embassy in Paris

It appears that city officials properly interpreted the message behind the citizen-imposed tax cap, which was approved by a large majority of voters one year ago: Struggling property owners believe they are paying enough, and the city government (which includes the Manchester school district) must find a way to make better use of the taxes they are already collecting.

For the school district, that undoubtedly means spending less on labor costs, which typically eat up about two-thirds of any district budget, and spending more on student needs.

The Board of School Committee reacted to the tax cap by asking school district labor unions to accept some financial concessions in health insurance. Most of the unions were willing to compromise, agreeing to pay more toward their own health coverage in exchange for a two percent salary increase over two years, according to the news report.

But the teachers union has decided it no longer wants to discuss concessions, and is instead turning its attention to the Nov. 6 election, when a new City Charter Commission will be elected to review the city’s plan of government and recommend possible changes.

The union will reportedly interview Charter Commission candidates, and may endorse those who would give the Board of School Committee the power to set tax rates separately from the city, or would support some type of effort to override the tax cap, according to the news report.

Union officials obviously hope such a change would be imposed by the time negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement begin next year.

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

That means the union has zero respect for tax caps approved by voters. Taxpayers may believe they are paying enough, but the teachers union will be searching for loopholes to force them to pay more, so union members won’t have to accept a little less during tough financial times.

This is not how democracy is supposed to work. When the people speak, the outcome should be written in stone, instead of being subjected to some sort of back-door plan to erase it.

But this is typical behavior for teachers unions, whose goal is usually to suck as much money as possible from school districts, using whatever tactics may be necessary.

We suppose the only way to stop the union in Manchester would be for the voters to rise up and elect Charter Commission candidates who will respect the outcome of the tax cap vote.

It will be interesting to see how this assault on democracy plays out.