Many states are looking for ways to balance their budgets and reduce costs, and teachers are a target for some of them. The most common reforms that states are looking to implement are pay systems, tenure and pensions. Unions say that lawmakers are using the financial problems to demonize them, rather than to try and work with them to find a solution. Lawmakers say that they are trying to find a solution for budget issues that also takes into account the salary and benefits that teachers make. Union leaders say that working together to solve problems will be beneficial for both sides, and will make the public happy.
See "Teachers unions on defensive as GOP lawmakers flex their muscle", Sean Cavanagh, The Sacramento Bee, January 23, 2011