Non-union teachers still have to pay dues

From the BCCT.

Non-union teachers still have to pay dues

By MANASEE WAGH

Some non-union members of Pennsbury's teaching staff have just been absorbed into the union's collective bargaining agreement.

If a collective bargaining agreement with teachers exists in a Pennsylvania district, then teachers have to join the bargaining unit, according to the state collective bargaining law for school employees.

In a district of more than 800 teachers, roughly 30 or so Title I and Pupil Achievement teachers were apparently overlooked until now, said George Miller, president of the Pennsbury Education Association, the district's teachers union.

“We weren't aware that they weren't in the bargaining unit,” he said.

The district and the union will be negotiating teacher contracts this year. That's why it's important to put all teachers together under one contract system as soon as possible, said Miller.

Under the umbrella of the union's bargaining power, those teachers won't be left floundering when it comes time for negotiations of their contracts, he said.

The benefit of having their salaries and benefits linked to the education association contract doesn't come free.

Though an individual can choose whether to belong to a union and pay union dues, everyone under the collective bargaining agreement has to pay the union's “fair share” fees.

The fees amount to roughly 75 percent of union membership dues, which range from about $500 to $1,000 annually, said Miller.

The amount varies from individual to individual, depending on the number of hours worked, the pay scale, benefits and job title.

“Because non-union members benefit from the bargaining of the unit, they are charged for the representation,” said Miller.

While that amount is less than the fees that union members pay, Pupil Achievement and Title I teachers did not volunteer to take advantage of the union's collective bargaining. They generally provide extra educational services part time, said Gregory Lucidi, president of the Pennsbury School Board.

However, the state labor relations board determined that the teachers had to join the bargaining unit, so the district had to agree to it, said Lucidi.

“Back in early spring, the board and the PEA agreed that these people had to come in to a bargaining agreement. It cleans up the situation of who these people are represented by,” said Miller.

As part of the agreement, the teachers also get an insurance policy against any sort of malpractice, he added.

“This first minor round of negotiations has turned out positively for the PEA and the district. It's a good sign going in to full-fledged negotiations,” he said.

The union and the district have to meet by Jan. 10 as they enter contract negotiations this year. The education association is already prepared to meet with the district, said Miller.