It appears efforts to provide teacher’s with the ability to choose or not to choose to join a union has resulted in a remarkable 200,000 teachers deciding not to rejoin their union.
The Education Action Group notes that over the past year, several states – including Wisconsin, Tennessee and Idaho – have passed legislation freeing teachers from the shackles of compulsory union membership. The results? “A new report finds the National Education Association has revised its membership numbers downward – from 3.2 million to just over 3 million. According to Mike Antonucci of the Education Intelligence Agency website, the hemorrhaging of members is contributing to the NEA’s $17 million deficit, which may force union leaders to lay off employees and cut aid to state affiliates.