Florida teachers sue over ‘union busting’ law: report

Local teacher organizations and individual teachers have joined the Florida Education Association in suing the state over changes to its “union busting” law on Monday, the Tampa Bay Times reported. 

“We’re not feeling defeated. We’re feeling angry and we’re ready to do something about it. We’re tired of being the target of legislators,” Melissa Rudd, the president of the Wakulla teacher organization and one of the plaintiffs, told the local publication. 

{mosads}The teachers group is one of many that faces decertification under the terms of new legislation if it fails to reach at least half of the required number of instructional personnel employees eligible for representation. If decertified, the organization will no longer be able to bargain on behalf of local teachers.

Lawyer Ron Meyer, who represents the plaintiffs, told the publication that teacher collective bargaining is a right guaranteed in the state’s Constitution and “cannot be diminished or impaired.”

Meyer told the outlet that lawmakers improperly placed the labor issue into the bill and said, if the court, agrees all aspects of the legislation will be killed.

The case has been filed against the members of the Public Employees Relations Commission. 

Lawmakers told the publication that they expected teacher organizations to file the suit but do not believe they will be successful. 

“It doesn’t surprise me that they’re filing a lawsuit and chances are over the next few years they’re going to have many more reasons to file lawsuits if choice and education are problems for them,” incoming House Speaker José Oliva (R) told the outlet.