Fabian Núñez, who once was an organizer for the California Teachers Association and counted on the CTA as an ally when he became state Assembly speaker, has been hired as a strategist by StudentsFirst, the Los Angeles Times and Sacramento Bee reported.

The hire is the latest signal that StudentsFirst, the Sacramento-based advocacy organization founded by ex-Washington, D.C., schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, plans to step up its political work in Sacramento. In pushing an aggressive national agenda that focuses on expanding charter schools, teacher evaluations and an end to teacher seniority and tenure, the organization has been at odds with teachers unions. In this month’s school board election in Los Angeles Unified, it gave $250,000 to candidates backing Los Angeles Unified Superintendent John Deasy and opposed by United Teachers Los Angeles.

Citing the CTA’s opposition to a teacher dismissal bill last year, Núñez, a Democrat from Los Angeles, told the Los Angeles Times, “I think there are a lot of labor Democrats who are coming to the conclusion that we can’t read from the CTA script anymore.” (The CTA is supporting alternative legislation this year that does not go as far in eroding teachers’ due-process rights.)

Núñez is following in the footsteps of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who started out as a field organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles, only to become an outspoken critic of the union as mayor.

 

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  1. Gary Ravani 11 years ago11 years ago

    I wonder of ol’ Fabian has ever read Faust? Naaaa…

  2. Manuel 11 years ago11 years ago

    Given the rise of "independent groups" as evidenced by the recent primary election in Los Angeles, it is clear that the up-and-coming politicians no longer need the labor organizations to give them a start. The candidacy of Antonio Sanchez was amply supported by the Usual Suspects and UTLA was cowed into not fielding anyone against him or else SB 10 would be pushed through as reported elsewhere. It was standard political maneuvering. The new bosses, … Read More

    Given the rise of “independent groups” as evidenced by the recent primary election in Los Angeles, it is clear that the up-and-coming politicians no longer need the labor organizations to give them a start. The candidacy of Antonio Sanchez was amply supported by the Usual Suspects and UTLA was cowed into not fielding anyone against him or else SB 10 would be pushed through as reported elsewhere. It was standard political maneuvering. The new bosses, who once were believed to be progressives who would implement the Plan de Santa Barbara, have turned out be no different than the old bosses (apologies to The Who).

  3. Susan 11 years ago11 years ago

    Nunez is following the money just like Romero, Garcia and Villaraigosa. Disgusting.

    cuacc.org

  4. CarolineSF 11 years ago11 years ago

    Rhee has actually argued specifically that public schools DON’T need more funding.

  5. el 11 years ago11 years ago

    You don’t have to be in love with UTLA to see StudentsFirst for the turkey of an organization that it is, existing primarily to aggrandize Michelle Rhee after she became unhireable as a superintendent and secondarily to promote the corporate agenda of people willing to pay Rhee.

    I’m disappointed in Núñez. Oh well.

    I have yet to see a single example of StudentsFirst doing anything for, let alone with, students.

    Replies

    • navigio 11 years ago11 years ago

      It’s where the money is, not surprising.

      MR wants to raise a billion dollars for her organization. Yet I’ve never once heard her argue that public schools need more funding. Even in places/situations where/when lack of funding is clearly a problem.

      oh well is right.