Florida Bill Threatens Teacher Unions With Tougher Membership Rules

Florida lawmakers have put forward new rules that would force teacher unions to get backing from most school employees — not just those voting — to keep operating. In Lee County, where schools are short 200 teachers, this adds new worries.

"I'm not sure this is the work the people of Florida sent their representatives to Tallahassee to do. I think it makes me mad that they don't understand, or they don't seem to want to understand the work that gets done,” said Kevin Daly, president of the Teachers Association of Lee County, to Wink News.

Unions currently need 60% of their teacher members to pay dues each year to stay recognized by the state. The change to a majority could hurt union operations across Florida, raising concerns about the future of teacher representation and support within Florida's education system.