Chicago Teachers Challenge Unlawful Union “Escape Period”

Two Chicago teachers, Joanne Troesch and Ifeoma Nkemdi, have filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Board of Education for forcing workers to pay dues. 

The filing challenges the union’s “escape period”, which is said to intentionally make it harder for teachers to back out of the union. The “escape period” is supposed to be a period of time the teachers have leave the union. If they don’t object in time, dues are automatically deducted from their paychecks without any say in the matter. However, the “escape period” takes place during August, when teachers aren’t working or thinking about work. The argument is that this is done on purpose to prevent teachers from leaving the union. 

Troesch and Nkemdi argue that they were also not informed of their right to be able to leave the union and still keep their teaching jobs. 

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation has picked up the case and is taking it to the Supreme Court on the premises that the Chicago Teachers Union is violating the Janus v. AFSCME ruling that states that workers should not have to pay union fees in order to keep their job. 

In The Center Square, National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix speaks out on the effects of “escape periods” 

“Escape periods’ like those forced on Troesch and Nkemdi, serve no purpose other than to keep the hard-earned cash of public servants who oppose union officials’ so-called ‘representation’ flowing into union coffers even after those employees have clearly exercised their First Amendment right to object to such payments”

MARK MIX, AS QUOTED IN THE CENTER SQUARE

If you have questions about whether union officials are violating your rights, contact the Foundation for free help. To take action by supporting The National Right to Work Committee and fueling the fight against Forced Unionism, click here to donate now.