Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a recent study that ranks Florida 50th in average teacher pay and other ways Local members are fighting to save their unions.
The report, released by the National Education Association, ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Only West Virginia ranked lower in the report. Spar discussed the funding issues for teachers across the Sunshine State and why several teachers are leaving the industry after decades of service.
Spar also talked about the wage gap between new teachers and those with tenure and how the lack of available growth for Florida teachers is hampering schools’ ability to properly educate students. These funding issues are another obstacle that teachers in the state have had to deal with in recent years, Spar said. He believes it’s time the state stops over-regulating and slashing budgets that impact teachers.
Not only are there funding issues hindering teachers, but recent attacks on public unions in the state have made it difficult for several Local teachers' unions to maintain certification. Spar talked about how several Local FEA affiliates have adapted to the new certification requirements. He then told the story of the Indian River County Education Association, who submitted their union certification the same day Senate Bill 256 was signed into law with immediate effect. The Local was asked to provide 30 percent, or nearly 350 show of interest cards from teachers over a three-day holiday weekend in order to receive certification. Not only did the union members answer the call, but they doubled the required number of interest cards by the deadline.
To hear more about the efforts to improve teachers work place in Florida, please listen to the show above.