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How Much More Are We Going to Ask of Our Teachers?

At a recent oversight hearing, a suggestion was made that teachers should clean air filters in air conditioning units to prevent freezing issues. This statement, which was dismissive and careless, did not go unnoticed by the Guam Federation of Teachers (GFT). The condescending tone was obvious—one has to wonder how many of the men supporting this idea expect their own spouses to climb ladders and clean air filters at home.

When Senator Barnett asked whether this would be an issue with the union, let me make it absolutely clear: cleaning air filters is not a teacher’s responsibility. This is not in their job description, nor should it be. If this needs to be addressed in future contract negotiations, then we will do so. As it stands, teachers will not be asked to perform maintenance tasks such as this. Any attempt to impose such duties will be met with a grievance.

Our teachers are already doing far more than they should. They paint classrooms, buy their own supplies, refurbish broken furniture, change light bulbs, clean classrooms, empty trash, cover classroom overages, give up breaks to fill in for staff shortages, mow lawns, and even power wash school roofs. How much more can we ask of them? And now, someone wants them to add air conditioner maintenance to that list? This is not only insulting—it’s absurd.

Let’s not forget that while some teachers may be physically capable of cleaning filters, many are not. It would be reckless and dangerous to expect them to risk their health and safety by climbing ladders to perform a task they should never have to do. And cleaning filters isn’t enough—real maintenance requires the use of cleaning solutions and proper procedures to fully address issues like freezing and icing. I’ve done it myself, and I’d be happy to show you the process, just as you seem to expect our teachers to take on yet another non-teaching duty.

As for the claim that teachers are lowering the temperature too much, could it be that they are simply trying to meet the legal standards required by the 14 points of education? Could it be that poorly maintained air conditioning units, not teacher behavior, are to blame for these issues?

Before we ask even more of our teachers, let’s get serious about addressing the real problems. Our teachers have already done more than enough. It’s time we find solutions that don’t involve piling more responsibilities onto those who are already giving so much. Our teachers deserve better, and the GFT will stand firm to ensure they are treated with the respect and dignity they’ve earned.

by Tim Fedenko, GFT President

An AFT Campaign: Code Red

Our healthcare system and the health professionals who staff it are at the breaking point. Hospitals were understaffed, in many cases dangerously so, long before COVID-19. And now, frontline caregivers are burned out, exhausted from the moral injury of being forced to provide inadequate care and leaving hospital employment in record numbers. Guided by revenue- and profit-driven, often callous decision-making of our nation’s hospitals, executives put their economic bottom line ahead of patient care and the safety of their frontline healthcare workers long before the recent public health emergency. Quite simply, our nation’s hospitals have... [Read more]

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1. Mandy Pajela, GDOE, December 2006
2. Lillian Bueno-Perez, GDOE, June 2003
3. Joyce Cruz, GDOE, November 2002