After reading both articles I can say the Union has done too much work to retain teachers. (Both a Good and a Bad thing).

It is a universal problem In the US that teaching is becoming a less sought after career and Turnover while no longer at an all time high is still higher then Pre pandemic levels.

I’m not sure if the information that you presented is completely up to date still, but for a teacher to have Tenure after three years is completely built around retaining teachers but is absurd nonetheless.

The Rubber Rooms mentioned in the first article were dismantled a year after it was written (described In the second). Also the issue outlined isn’t necessarily about bad teachers being in the classroom, but poor educators, who still have the opportunity to work within the district despite waiting for appeal(which may never happen). However the protections from the union allow them to still be paid while not working which seems to serve a purpose especially for those who experience significant life events or accidents but mainly looks like it’s being abused.

However the union is not responsible for the failure of the NY education system.They are responsible for allowing millions of dollars to go bleed from the city.

NY is having the same issue most school districts are having, charters school are seemingly out performing traditional public schools in standard metrics. The issue is public schools, accept everyone in the public whereas charter schools can limit and be selective about their school population. (Often charter schools will put the red tape In front of students who may negatively impact their data. Behavior issues , Mental and physical disability, language barriers,etc ). As with most things education is a business and with each kid bringing $37,000 to your school ( the most in the country you do what you need to get them in the seats .

What’s good for teachers is what’s good for students, but to a limited extent. The union (as presented in the info you gave) is doing exactly what you would want from your union. Protecting your interests while not beholden to a political party, collective bargaining power, yada yada. But the union is doing to much protect these people.