Union Fees

The very good news has reached us that the Los Angeles Unified school board’s agreement with the teachers union has been concluded without a provision permitting the union to collect an involuntary fee from those teachers who choose not to be members. This provision is euphemistically labeled “fair share,” or sometimes called “agency shop.”

The rash of demands for the so-called “fair share” or “agency shop” fee around the state is no accident; rather, it is the concerted effort by teacher union officials to control who will teach in California’s classrooms.

Because the fee remains negotiable, however, we are making every effort to educate school board members and citizens about the issue of individual freedom. We hope other school board members who are confronted with similar demands in future months will take this courageous lead and hold firm for their teachers.

Members of the board of education have made a significant contribution to freedom in the the academic community. Teachers and citizens should be proud of the decision and we hope they’ll congratulate their school board members.

JO SEKER

Director

Concerned Educators Against

Forced Unionism

Springfield, Va.