Small Potatoes
I wouldn’t blame you if you came away confused after reading this article in the Idaho Statesman about what effect the state’s new collective bargaining laws have had on the Idaho Education Association. The teachers’ union is now limited to negotiating only pay and benefits.
According to local IEA presidents, the law hasn’t affected their relationship with their districts, hasn’t taken away teachers’ rights, and has had only a marginal effect on membership numbers.
Really?
The president of the Nampa Education Association said the detrimental effect on teachers is a “misconception.”
Membership is down in Caldwell, Meridian and Boise, but their union presidents claim that is mostly due to a languishing economy and higher insurance premiums. “I wouldn’t necessarily relate it (lower membership) to the new laws,” said Meridian Education Association president Luke Franklin.
Statewide, Idaho Education Association president Penni Cyr said, “Our membership is down in some areas, (but) we’re stable or gaining in others, including among the education support professionals like classroom aides, janitors and cafeteria personnel who work throughout our schools.” Communications director Julie Fanselow said most locals are “within 5 percent of where we were a year ago.”
OK, but a five percent loss in a single year is significant, the Nampa local cut its dues in half to attract new members, and in some places the union doesn’t represent even half of the eligible teachers. So why would union officials downplay the effects of a law they vehemently oppose?
IEA officers are in a tough spot. They have to persuade voters to repeal a law the union finds objectionable while at the same time try to convince teachers and other potential members that IEA is not a sinking ship, best abandoned. Unfortunately for them, these arguments can work at cross-purposes. Why repeal the law when they say they’re getting along fine with it?
IEA president Cyr even got to the point of saying that teachers join a union for the “camaraderie” and “social activities.” Of course, it’s the only book club or coffee klatsch with multi-million dollar revenue, a team of lobbyists and a political action committee.
