Florida teacher unions claim win against law limiting their role

Tampa Bay Times | By Jeffrey S. Solochek | October 24, 2024

The big story: After Florida lawmakers changed the rules for public employee union certification, teachers worried they might lose their representation in collective bargaining and, along with that, their contract terms and protections.

United Teachers of Dade was the first to face a major challenge to its role.

Backed by anti-union national organizations, an alternative group aimed to upend UTD in a vote of eligible members. This week, United Teachers of Dade claimed an overwhelming victory. Elections to retain unions in other districts are still pending.

“When our governor co-signs the agendas of fringe extremist groups and puts our students and our neighborhood public schools last, he’s betting on the wrong horse. It’s why he lost during the primary and why he lost again today. We will not be silenced. And we will never stop fighting for our students, teachers and staff,” Florida Education Association president Andrew Spar said in a news release.

Meanwhile, the unions are heading to back court today to challenge the law, which took effect last year, Associated Press reports. They say it’s unconstitutional.