More Colorado Teachers Opt Out of Union Dues and Politics
By The Gazette Editorial Board | Commentary, The Gazette
When a school district’s union speaks, it’s often billed as the voice of the teachers.
Not so fast.
Out of Colorado’s 179 school districts, fewer than 40 are formally “unionized” through collective-bargaining, or “master” agreements, in which unions negotiate pay, benefits and other matters on behalf of all teachers. Some districts agree to memorandums of understanding similar to collective bargaining.
The majority of districts aren’t unionized at all. Sure, many districts have union affiliates, but they function more like clubs. And many teachers join because they’re led to believe they need the liability policies unions provide. It’s worth noting that comparable policies offered by the Professional Association of Colora...





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