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posted by: Cindy Omlin
| April 07, 2011, 06:22 PM
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Last week as Ohio Governor John Kasich was signing Senate Bill 5 into law, the Ohio NEA affiliate, the Ohio Education Association, was already mobilizing their efforts to repeal the measure that would end forced unionism, makes strikes illegal and close major budget shortfalls via a ballot referendum. In a current forced unionism state, the OEA already collects at least $63 million in dues per year. Apparently that figure isn't enough to advance their agenda as they are now considering extracting an additional $50 per member for the referendum campaign in November.
Regardless of what teachers think about the law, this fee would be required and nonrefundable. Does this sound fair to you?
Thousands of teachers are outraged by the thought of additional political fees, particularly when they already saddled with $800-$900 in dues per year. In an email released by Governor Kasich's camp, one school employee saw the added fee as an endorsement of a referendum she doesn't agree with. In fact, she believes Senate Bill 5 is a sound law. "I am very upset with the OEA Union," school employee Connie Ash's email read. "I am appalled that the OEA feels they can commandeer funds from my pay check without my approval."
Currently in Ohio, you must pay the OEA membership dues and fees as a condition of employment. Unfortunately, as of today, Connie would have to pay this additional fee. Senate Bill 5 would see that teachers are given the liberty to make that choice for themselves, that is if it has the chance to go into effect. Clearly, there are thousands of teachers in the state do not identify with the OEA's politics and do not want to pay exorbitant dues or forced fees to support their agenda.
AAE has always been opposed to forced unionism. This new idea by the OEA shows us that the organization views Senate Bill 5 as a threat to their pipeline of cash. The OEA is doing one of the things teachers unions do best, treating member paychecks as a political slush fund. Lacking the respect to ask first might be one of the key reasons why these unions themselves have lost so much respect with policy makers and legislators.
What do you think about the OEA potentially charging this fee?
Comment below.
Originally posted by Alix at AAE.
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