Non-Christians Given 'Special Consideration' In Union Teacher Contract

While it’s not surprising in this day and age of all tolerance for everything non-Christian and non-White, it is surprising that the teachers union contract in Ferndale Public Schools in Oakland County, Michigan would be so blatantly unlawful and discriminatory.

On page 12, the contract states:

No Discrimination
There shall be no discrimination by the F.E.A. or the Board toward any employee(s) because of race, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual preference, age, disability or other legally protected classification, marital status or number of dependents; except where age, sex, or physical requirements constitute a bona fide occupational qualification necessary for proper and efficient administration.  All protected classes will be equally considered under the provision of this Agreement and in accordance therewith.

Yet on page 22, the following clearly shows discrimination:

Special consideration shall be given to women and/or minority defined as:  Native American, Asian American, Latino, African American and those of the non-Christian faith.  However, in all appointments to vacant position, the Board’s decision shall be final. 

Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor believes this could be unconstitutional and remarked, “This just strikes me as so un-American that they can put in open language for people to see that they are going to be discriminating against Christians.”

One would expect the ACLU to be outraged, as they are notorious for fighting discrimination against minorities and every other religious belief, but it’s not surprising that the response was lukewarm.  Rana Elmir, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, said she couldn’t speak to the specifics highlighted in the contract “because it comes down to how it is implemented.”

A spokeswoman from Ferndale Public Schools, who responded after the story’s original posting, said the district does not discriminate when hiring. Spokesperson Shelley Yorke Rose responded, “The district appreciates your bringing this antiquated language to our attention. The timing is perfect since Ferndale Public Schools just completed bargaining and, with the advice of our legal counsel and approval from the district EA (union) representative, this language will be deleted from new contracts… “

That’s interesting because while she claims the paragraph could be from the 1970’s, the language used is more modern.  However, you can read more excuses and the rest of the story here: http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/19913