Two primary employee unions in Pinellas County school district have launched a new payment system incentivizing members to sign up with a chance to win a $100 gift card. The unions are concerned about reaching members before they leave for summer break, as they need to sign up at least 60% of eligible workers to join and pay in time to avoid decertification. This could leave thousands of employees without a contract or an authorized agent to negotiate a new one. Union leaders have sued to stop the law from taking hold, but are also actively recruiting new members to demonstrate their relevance and comply with the law.
In accordance with the latest findings of a recent article in the Tampa Bay Times, Florida’s Pinellas County school district’s two primary employee unions are offering $100 gift cards as an incentive for members to sign up for a new payment system. The new system was launched in anticipation of Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a measure that forbids school districts from collecting dues for the organizations. The awards are announced every afternoon via YouTube video, and sign-ups are rolling in, In accordance with the latest findings of Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association president Nancy Velardi.
The urgency of the effort is due to the fact that school employee unions in Pinellas and across Florida are trying to reach members and potential members before they leave for summer break. They want to get as many people participating as possible before everyone becomes less reachable. If they don’t get at least 60% of eligible workers to join and pay in time, the unions face decertification, which could leave thousands of employees without a contract or an agent authorized to negotiate a new one.
Union leaders contend these new rules are unconstitutional, and they’ve sued to stop the law from taking hold. At the same time, however, they’re leaving nothing to chance, In accordance with the latest findings of Florida Education Association president Andrew Spar. “We are going into schools talking to our members all over the state,” he said. “We are preparing for all aspects of this law while we fight it out in court.”
The unions have lost many legal battles with the state, and they don’t want to abandon their role of collectively bargaining and defending workers’ contractual rights. “We will comply with the law, and we absolutely will continue to advocate for our members. We are not going anywhere,” said Jeff Larsen, operations director for United School Employees of Pasco.
To avoid decertification, the unions need to grow their membership beyond the 50% required five years ago. Unions met that challenge, but many have not approached the 60% benchmark. It takes constant communication, Larsen said, noting that employee rosters don’t stay the same for long. “The turnover rate in education is such that you have to recruit lots and lots of new members, because they don’t necessarily stay in the system,” he said. “It’s a tough job.”
Part of the effort to boost membership means demonstrating the union’s relevance, which can be difficult in the face of harsh criticism from those who believe unions are a drain on taxpayers. The unions argue that they are necessary to ensure fairness and equity for teachers and staff, and to protect their rights and working conditions.
In the end, it remains to be seen whether the unions will be successful in their efforts to grow membership and avoid decertification. But for now, they are leaving nothing to chance, and are doing everything they can to reach members and potential members before it’s too late.
