Highlands County School District supports union
Highlands News-Sun | By Marc Valero | September 9, 2024
The Highlands County Educational Support Professionals Association, the union representing the School District’s non-instructional staff, will continue to exist after a vote of support was tabulated Wednesday in Tallahassee.
Florida Education Association Peace River Basin Service Unit Director Jim Demchak, who represents teachers and school support employees, was present at the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) Headquarters in Tallahassee for the counting of the ballots.
Demchak said 279 voted “yes” and nine voted “no” with 288 out of 608 possible employees returning their ballots for a 47.4% turnout.
“Thank you to all who voted,” he added.
So Highlands County Educational Support Professionals Association can remain the bargaining agent until Jan. 25, 2025, where again they must have 60% membership.
One new bill that will be on the table next legislative session will allow at least 50% of the eligible employees must vote in order to be recertified again.
“We would have lost the contract if that had been in place now as only 47.4 % voted,” Demchak noted.
The Highlands Teacher unit (union) has not been scheduled yet for its election but the district has submitted the names and addresses of employees eligible to vote on certification of the Highlands County Education Association, he said.
Teachers and school support employee unions have been facing deadlines since a new requirement, from Senate Bill 256 (2023), to have 60% of their respective workforces as union members for the union to continue to exist.
More than 63,000 public employees across Florida have had their labor unions fully decertified and shuttered by the state since a sweeping anti-union law went into effect last year, according to WLRN-FM radio station in South Florida.
The Glades County Support staff union, which was affiliated with the Service Employees International Union has been decertified. The union represented 84 non-instructional employees.
On Jan. 22, the Public Employees Relation Commission revoked the union representing 57 City of Sebring employees.
The Commission’s order stated the information provided by the union reflects that the percentage of dues paid by members was below the required 60% level.
The union failed to petition the Commission for recertification as the exclusive bargaining agent for the unit within one month of the date the renewal application was filed.
On Dec. 18, the Commission ordered the union to show cause by no later than Jan. 5, 2024, why the certification should not be revoked for failure to comply with Florida Statutes. The union did not file a response, thus the union’s certification was revoked.
