Board Members wants teachers to reveal union status

[SocialistLez]

"Union says policy violates privacy

Members of Sumner County’s teachers’ union says they’re prepared to go to court if the school board votes for a policy requiring educators to declare their union status.

Board members voted 9-2 April 20 to defer the policy to a study session after questions came up about whether it violates teachers’ rights to privacy. Introduced by Hender­sonville board member Mike Fussell, the policy would require Sumner County educators to sign sworn affidavits declaring whether they pay mem­bership dues to the Sum­ner County Education Association.

The SCEA, an affiliate of the Tennessee Educa­tion Association, is recog­nized as the bargaining agent authorized to nego­tiate pay and contracts for all teachers working in the Sumner County school system.

“It’s the board’s obliga­tion and responsibility to ensure that a minority of the school system’s pro­fessional educators are not dictating working conditions and pay for teachers who are not union members,” Fussell said.

The policy as proposed violates federal rights to privacy and is illegal, said SCEA President Mary Pappas.

“Should there be (a) vote to pass (the policy), then so be it. But there will be legal conse­quences,” Pappas warned board members April 20.

Fussell said he asked board attorney Jim Fuqua to draft the policy as a mechanism to protect teachers. “We need a way to ensure they are repre­sented by the collective bargaining agent of their choosing,” Fussell said."

— JENNIFER EASTON GANNETT TENNESSEE

Courtesy the Tennessean

[MadMaddie]

1. Another way to attack unions make no mistake about it.

Just the mere threat of revealing who belongs to the union is a threat in itself.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Isn't that public information?

I would think the union has to at least disclose the number they are representing. And that's all the board wants to know - do a majority of the teachers belong to the union that is negotiating their contract? Names are not necessary.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. WTF!?

Please post a link.

This is insane. The board has a contract or agreement (I am assuming) with the union that bargains the contract. If they don't want to deal with the union, then challenge the contract.

This is all state law where I teach. Thank God. And my employer just has to look at payroll records to find out who belongs to the union. Besides, that is public information.

This is just silly pandering and an attempt to slam a union. Sickening.

[SocialistLez]

4. Link is here

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100429/GALLATIN01/100428066/Sumner-school-board-could-require-teachers-to-declare-union-status

I received the digital edition of the paper.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Thank you