EIA Exclusive: Indiana State Teachers Association Approves $40 Dues Increase
When last we left the Indiana State Teachers Association, its officers called a special representative assembly, sent layoff notices to one-quarter of the staff, and settled down to figure out how to eliminate not only the deficit of its depleted insurance trust, but that of the union itself.
EIA can now report that ISTA’s layoffs will go forward, a number of regional offices will be closed or consolidated, and members will be subjected to a $40 annual dues increase, bringing the state affiliate portion of dues to $489 for the 2009-10 school year (NEA national dues will be an additional $162).
The dues increase could remain in effect until 2012.
NEA has promised additional support, though the details have yet to be worked out. At the very least, NEA will provide assistance for ISTA’s summer and fall membership drive, which should be a public relations challenge. (“We’re broke and we just increased dues by an unprecedented amount. Join us!”)
ISTA representatives will meet with the NEA board of directors at the national representative assembly next week, but it is unclear how much of this situation will be presented to the rank-and-file delegates. Nor is it known whether assistance to ISTA will come through normal channels, or if adjustments in NEA’s budget allocations will be made.
