Pernicious
10-16-2014, 01:29 PM
http://www.debatepolicy.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6640&stc=1
Michigan high school social studies teacher Adam Neuman was surprised when he saw the $80 deduction on his paycheck from the Brighton Public School District.
Then, he was angry.
The U.S. Army veteran, who served one tour in Afghanistan, had opted out of the Brighton Education Association and parent organization, the Michigan Education Association, in August, as was his right under the state's 2012 law. He knew he wasn't subject to dues withholding, yet the itemized stub showed the deduction.
“I don’t feel that they should be taking money out of my check if I am not part of the union,” Neuman, who has taught for 17 years at his alma mater in Brighton, 45 miles west of Detroit, told FoxNews.com. “The law is clear. I’m no longer required to pay dues. It’s as if they are punishing me for not staying in the union."
Upon investigating, Neuman learned that the union deduction was not considered dues, but something called "release time" -- money earmarked to pay the salary of the union president. Teachers who double as union officers have half their salaries paid by the school district and the other half by the union. Under the current contract, all teachers, even those who opt out, must chip in for the union's share.
“Liberty is a simple word to say. I prefer to live it.”- Adam Neuman, teacher and veteran from Brighton, Mich.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/10/16/afghanistan-vet-does-battle-with-michigan-teachers-union/
Michigan high school social studies teacher Adam Neuman was surprised when he saw the $80 deduction on his paycheck from the Brighton Public School District.
Then, he was angry.
The U.S. Army veteran, who served one tour in Afghanistan, had opted out of the Brighton Education Association and parent organization, the Michigan Education Association, in August, as was his right under the state's 2012 law. He knew he wasn't subject to dues withholding, yet the itemized stub showed the deduction.
“I don’t feel that they should be taking money out of my check if I am not part of the union,” Neuman, who has taught for 17 years at his alma mater in Brighton, 45 miles west of Detroit, told FoxNews.com. “The law is clear. I’m no longer required to pay dues. It’s as if they are punishing me for not staying in the union."
Upon investigating, Neuman learned that the union deduction was not considered dues, but something called "release time" -- money earmarked to pay the salary of the union president. Teachers who double as union officers have half their salaries paid by the school district and the other half by the union. Under the current contract, all teachers, even those who opt out, must chip in for the union's share.
“Liberty is a simple word to say. I prefer to live it.”- Adam Neuman, teacher and veteran from Brighton, Mich.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/10/16/afghanistan-vet-does-battle-with-michigan-teachers-union/