State’s teachers could opt out of unions at will under proposal

Apr 24, 2012

Debi Brazzale / Colorado News Agency

A legislative panel on Monday passed a bill that would let teachers join or leave unions or other professional organizations on their own timetable.

House Bill 1333, sponsored by Rep. Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan, and heard in the House Education Committee, would give school districts 30 days to cancel a teacher’s payroll deductions for vunion dues after receiving written notification from the teacher.

Under collective bargaining agreements ruling many larger school districts, teachers only may cancel their membership within a two-to-three week “opt-out window” at the beginning of the school year. If they miss the window, they’re obligated to pay dues for the rest of the year.

Becker said that period is too short, and teachers need more flexibility. He said his bill would afford them the extra time. …see full story by the Colorado News Agency

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Tags: Cherilyn Peniston, Falcon School District, Jon Becker, Libby Moody, opt-out window, payroll deduction, teachers union, union dues