NEA in Action, October 2024

When it comes to union power, educators in Florida know the value of belonging. A new anti-union law took away the union's right to automatically deduct dues and forced locals to recertify-making members vote in an official election to state they wanted the union to represent them for all matters related to bargaining. The elections, run by the Public Employees Relations Commission, began in the spring and will occur for locals that don't meet a 60 percent membership threshold each year.

With the help of NEA, members in Florida are organizing around the issue and informing members about the law, the election, and the importance of mailing in their ballots to keep their union representation. Several locals, including the Putnam Federation of Teachers/United, ran campaigns to ensure members voted to keep union representation. They mailed postcards explaining the ballot, and posted pictures on social media to highlight those who voted while encouraging others to do the same. The efforts paid off and the instructional employees of Putnam County School District overwhelmingly voted to save their contract and keep PFT/U as their bargaining agent. At press time, the Florida locals were 10-0 in wins-with members voting 95 percent and higher to stay members of the Florida Education Association.