The American Federation of Teachers in Miami-Dade County, Fla., has been hit with a pair of complaints that accuse officials of forcing educators to join in an effort to boost lagging membership numbers.
United Teachers of Dade (UTD) allegedly sent organizers to the district’s public schools last month to pressure two teachers into paying membership fees, according to a copy of the complaint obtained exclusively by The Post.
The first filing alleges the union violated Florida law by directing the complainant to the school’s teacher’s break room during work hours — and then demanding the teacher join the labor union even though she had left in July.
A vice principal at the school contacted the teacher and asked her to report to the break room, where organizers were waiting to ask the educator about her membership, according to the complaint.
“UTD organizers will not have the ability to find and talk to him [redacted] at that time without the assistance of the School administration,” the filing said.
UTD sought to increase the number of lagging members and strong educators to pay last month’s fees amid the push for certification. TNS United Teachers of Dade (UTD) sent organizers to the district’s public schools in November, allegedly using facilities and some staff to pressure two teachers into paying membership fees. Dade United Teachers
“I used to be a UTD building steward, and I was so disgusted with the union that I left,” the teacher replied, according to the complaint. “Why do I want to pay the fee?”
A second complaint alleges that an organizer at a Miami-Dade public school made “loud and embarrassing statements” about a teacher “in front of her co-workers” in an attempt to “verbally pressure” her to pay union dues.
The teacher was approached as he tried to use the faculty lounge restroom and made “repeated assertions that he[id] does not want to pay dues or become a member” of UTD, the filing said.
UTD is the affiliated union of the American Federation of Teachers, whose president, Randi Weingarten, testified earlier this year before Congress about efforts to keep the school closed. Reuters
The organizer however “bullied and humiliated” the teacher by raising his voice and commenting on the situation to at least five other people in the break room.
A few days later, the woman claims, another organizer approached her in the hallway and asked her to fill out a form authorizing the payment of union dues, which the teacher refused because she was no longer a member.
The teacher’s attorney, Allison Beattie, has asked the Florida Public Employee Relations Commission to demand that UTD stop “forcing” educators to pay union dues, inform its members of the violation of workers’ rights and “apologise in writing” to the complainant “for its actions.”
A second complaint alleges that an organizer at a Miami-Dade public school made “loud and embarrassing statements” about a teacher “in front of her co-workers” in an attempt to “verbally pressure” her to pay union dues.
Dade United Teachers President Karla Hernandez-Mats did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The union had been trying to increase its membership before the vote to determine its state certification.
Under Florida Senate Bill 256, all public sector unions must have at least 60% active membership to be certified. The bill also ends the automatic payment of dues to teachers’ unions.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a union certification bill into law on May 9, in what was seen as another blow to teachers unions. AP
UTD failed to reach the 60% threshold on November 17, submitting its certification to the state Public Employees Relations Commission.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 256 into law on May 9 after it sailed through the state legislature.
The governor, now a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has waged a battle with labor groups over issues ranging from COVID policy to school curriculum.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
