New state laws ending automatic deductions of dues or restricting collective bargaining rights are starting to hurt teachers' unions in some states. A National Education Association report on the status of affiliates says 15 are now financially distressed, according to a report by blogger Mike Antonucci at the Education Intelligence Agency. Among the state affiliates in trouble are those in Indiana and North Carolina, according to the NEA report.
"Unfortunately, North Carolina is an example of the kind of problems facing state affiliates. Recent legislation ended payroll dues deduction so an alternative way of collecting dues has to be devised in order to continue doing business," the report says.
The problems, the report goes on, bite deep:
"Membership losses and the precarious financial position of some states mean an estimated $12 million shortfall this year for NEA and a projected $27 million shortfall next year. As a result, NEA is looking to reduce 88 staff positions. Currently, 124 NEA staff are eligible to retire and have until March 15 to take a proposed retirement incentive"The NEA's response: more organizing.
"With an estimated 1.5 million school employees who are not affiliated with any union, NEA is concentrating on developing a culture of organizing," the report concludes.
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