NJEA: Filmmaker Used Selective Editing

TRENTON, N.J. - The latest video from conservative activist James O’Keefe shines an unflattering light on one of New Jersey’s biggest unions, the New Jersey Education Association.

On the undercover tape, a teacher describes how tenure protects the state’s teachers.

Fox 29’s Bruce Gordon spent the day in Trenton getting reaction and some more context to this controversial tape.

Asked about the remarks about tenure and the broader shenanigans shown on the video, Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday, "To the extent that the tape is authentic – and I know there's some dispute about that – then it's disturbing. But it's not the least bit surprising."

Christie later added, "We need tenure reform. We need educational reform. … My issue is not with teachers in New Jersey. And I think there are plenty of teachers in New Jersey who would look at that video, if authentic, and be appalled – be appalled that that's the way the leadership of their union conducts themselves."

The union claims that hundreds of tenured teachers are forced out of their jobs for cause each year but, because most of them quit before a final disposition of their cases, the numbers appear artificially low.

Talks are underway between the union and state lawmakers with an eye toward new legislation to tighten up the tenure process.

Union spokesman Steve Wollmer also says that O'Keefe used "selective editing" to make the "Teacher's Unions Go Wild" videotape.