Two dozen teachers unions in Wisconsin were not recertified this year, while another 22 did not even try, as Gov. Scott Walker’s reforms hobble labor unions in the state.
Overall, nearly one-third of the state’s teachers unions have been unable to convince their members to support organized labor since 2013.
The numbers illustrate the effect of Walker’s 2011 public-sector union reforms, which required unions to be recertified annually, among other provisions. Should Walker run for president in 2016, as is widely expected, the reforms and their impact likely would galvanize activists on both sides.
Prior to Walker’s reforms, unions representing state and local government employees rarely had to be recertified. The union was recognized as the workers’ representative even if none of the current workers had voted for it.
In 2014, 305 Badger State school unions sought recertification, down from 408 the previous year, according to an analysis by the right-leaning MacIver Institute. Only 280 were able to obtain support from more than 51 percent of their members as required under Walker’s reforms. Another 81 unions failed to do that in 2013.
Of the 408 officially recognized teachers unions in the state in 2013, only 280 remain.
Failure to achieve recertification does not necessarily mean the unions cease to exist, but it means the state is no longer obligated to bargain with them on behalf of workers.
The Wisconsin Education Association Council, which represents 51 affiliates in the state, looked on the bright side. It noted, “Of the teacher units (affiliated with WEAC) seeking recertification, 97 percent were successful.” It further said that if certification was based only a majority of the votes cast then “all but one of the units seeking recertification would have been successful.” Walker’s reforms require the union to get votes supporting recertification from at least 51 percent of all existing members, not just those who vote.
“In the local associations pursuing recertification, Wisconsin educators overwhelmingly stood strong to emphasize their collective voice. Local associations that chose not to hold recertification elections still exist and influence school culture — they aren’t going anywhere,” said WEAC President Betsy Kippers.
A WEAC spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
However, half of WEAC’s affiliates did not seek recertification, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Nick Novak, spokesman for the MacIver Institute, said the elections suggested that substantial number of teachers simply disagree with organized labor. “[A]ccording to the results, it seems many union members are headed in a different direction.”
