I always thought that a unionized workforce was the antithesis of a meritocracy.  In a corruption of Ben Franklin's wisdom,  unions seem to believe that "Workers must all fail together or most assuredly, they may succeed separately."  What better proof of this axiom than this: (link requires subscription)

Paying different salaries to different teachers based on their performance or the subject they teach "strikes at the heart of unionism," says Diane Shust, the NEA's chief lobbyist.
 
Fortunately, the teachers that make up the NEA's rank and file are getting wise to the NEA's foolish positions.  Let's hear from former Alabama teacher of the year Betsy Rogers (link requires subscription):

I really feel like we need this independent organization in our state,"says Mrs. Rogers. Although the NEA affiliate in Alabama "has been very active in protecting the rights of teachers," she adds, "it hasn't always acted in the best interests of the child. It's been in control of educationfor over 30 years in this state, and we're at the bottom of the heap.
 
The indepenent organization she refers to is one of the many that is springing up in competition wtih the NEA. (My wife, a teacher in Texas, is a member of just one ofthese alternatives.)  And why are teachers leaving the NEA?  Not only the organization's steadfast opposition to merit pay or differentials based on the discipline taught.  The organization's political views are way out of touch with its members.  The president of the Missouri State Teachers Association, a leading NEA alternative, notes the following.

I don't think a teachers' organization has any business being involved inissues like birth control and gun control.
 
In addition to gun control and birth control (i.e. unrestricted access to abortion), the NEA holds forth on such topics as a single-payer national health insurance system and legislative considerations of reparations for slaves.  The importance of these positions to the educational process is unclear.  Moreover, the NEA's position are reliably on the left end of the spectrum.  This is highlighted by its position as a virtual subsidiary of the Democratic Party, providing nearly ten percent of the delegates to the convention.

Happily the NEA's influence is declining.  Its stranglehold on the educational process has gone on far too long and I believe that it's high time that this organization be replaced.  It's nice to see that many teachers feel the same way.