Legislation allowing teacher unions to charge non-members a representation fee is sound policy, according to Howard County officials backing the bill.
“It?s [nonmembers?] prerogative to choose not the union, but if they reap benefits from the negotiation … it really is a basic fairness issue,” said Delegate Liz Bobo, D-12B.
A bill co-sponsored by Bobo and Del. Frank Turner, D-13, would authorize unions to charge nonmembers bound by union contract negotiations a fee for services. About a third of Maryland?s school jurisdictions have passed similar laws, according to school officials.
Howard County delegates pushed for a so-called agency fee in previous sessions, but met opposition. But Bobo said she?s confident the bill will pass this year because it has many co-sponsors, including delegates from Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince George?s counties.
The Howard County school board also supported the bill in a unanimous opinion vote earlier this month (excluding board chairwoman Diane Mikulis, who abstained). However, some members recommended clauses to limit the number of non-union members impacted, such as applying the fee only to teachers hired after the legislation took effect.
“Allow[ing] what seems to be a fair share seemed to make sense to everyone,” said Board Member Ellen Flynn Giles.
Besides contract negotiations, nonunion school staff frequently relies on unions for special services, like reporting grievances, Giles said. The extra services rendered make it imperative for unions to collect money from nonunion members, she said.
The county delegation will discuss the bill in an upcoming legislative session to consider changes and public input, Bobo said.
