Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/85441
NO ON 32 ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION "Robs your ability to lobby for smaller class size and safe schools." "IT WILL LIMIT YOUR ABILIT Y to lobby for things like smaller class size, more textbooks and safer schools," says Alabama Education Association President Dot Strickland. "We learned we must be vocal eternally and active with legislators. We must be watchful and outspoken. What happened to us renewed our commitment to our profession, which involves organizing, political action and speaking out." The Alabama Legislature attempted to end payroll deduction (collecting any dues money via payroll Dot Strickland from AEA members), and that attempt is currently under appeal. Meanwhile, the association mobilized and created an alternative method for members to voluntarily deduct dues from their bank account. So far, 92 percent of members have signed up for this in case AEA loses in court. Stickland's advice to California teachers: "Talk to every single CTA member and help them understand why it is important to have a strong voice in education. This is nothing more than another effort to rob every educator of the freedom of speech and the right to have a voice in political activities." SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION "It's not about special exemptions, it's about stripping teachers of rights." "DO NOT LET PROP. 32 PASS," warns Jackie B. Hicks, South Carolina Education Association president. "This is an overt attack to strip teachers of influence in their schools, district and at the state level. It will be very detrimental to teachers and students if this happens." "The hardest lesson we learned: Do not be complacent in the face of such attacks, and don't accept their messaging of the intent of this act," Hicks adds. "It's not about special exemptions — it's a 'strip teachers of political power ' act, and it works. That's why they are doing it all over the country." In South Carolina, union dues have not been allowed to be taken by payroll deduction since 1984, and membership of teachers and classified employees has plummeted, along with political clout. Jackie B. Hicks WASHINGTON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 2012 ELECTION SPECIAL | VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 32 "It's crucial to protect your right to be engaged in the democratic process." "ANTI - UNION, ANTI - PUBLIC EDUCATION FORCES attacked us on the ballot nearly 20 years ago, and it has taken us a long time to rebuild our collective political voice," says Washington Education Associa- tion President Mary Lindquist. "Speaking from experience, it's crucial to protect the right of teachers and school employees to be engaged in the democratic process. Defend your right to advocate for your students, your profession and your families." The WEA fought the paycheck deception measure approved by voters, but in 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law, which resulted in PAC contributions shrinking by 75 percent within five years. Mary Lindquist 12 California Educator October 2012