Florida’s teachers unions, running an “I’m sticking with my union” campaign, are working this summer to overcome the hurdles of a new state law they argue is unfair and unconstitutional.
The new law passed this spring by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis ends payroll deductions for union dues, which have been in place for years, and requires bigger membership numbers for unions to remain active, among other changes.
Republican lawmakers who pushed for the new law (SB 256) argue it makes unions more transparent and accountable to their members. The unions call it a revengeful effort to weaken them.
As unions work to re-sign their members, which the law requires, an anti-union Washington state group that lobbied for the new law is sending fliers to teachers across Florida urging them not to re-join. The law takes effect Saturday.
“Don’t let the union mislead you,” the fliers from the Freedom Foundation read.
But the Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers union, said its membership has increased by about 5,000 so far this summer. The association, which has challenged the new legislation in a federal lawsuit, said public school teachers feel attacked by many laws passed by the GOP-dominated Legislature and DeSantis and more than ever want the protection of the union.
Michelle Polgar, a Volusia County teacher, said the Freedom Foundation flier arrived at her home and did nothing but annoy her.
“It made me just actually a little frustrated....
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