Union question - real situation

[lykaon78]

I'm not intending this to be flame fodder (but my expectations are low) and have a genuine question:

My wife is taking a 1 year unpaid leave of absence from her teaching position as allowed in her contract for employment. The contract basically guarantees her a position at the end of the year of absence.

She notified the district and her union in May and the sabbatical began in August. Approximately November 21 we receive notification from the union that we owe $500 in union dues in 3 weeks. The letter says that in order to maintain active status we must pay the dues. Failure to pay will result in loss of active status and the benefits that go along with it.

We decide not to pay the $500 and are comfortable with the ramifications of not being active in the union. Fast forward a month and my wife attends a Christmas Party and several of the union brass harass her that because we aren't paying dues the union is out her money and still must pay the state and national union for her normal portion of dues.

One of the leaders goes so far as to claim that without the union protection the contract with the district that she signed is not enforceable because she is no longer in the union and that the union won't represent her if the district tries to renege and not offer her a spot teaching next year.

I contend that my wife signed a contract and in good faith executed a section of that contract with the districts permission (it was board approved by a vote). Should the district try to renege on that contract we may be forced to hire legal representation out of our own pocket but we'd have a strong breach of contract suit.

I believe the union rep is just trying to scare my wife into paying the dues and I believe I'm correct.

ATOT legal experts: please weigh-in.

 

[Patranus]

Its what happens when you deal with Unions. They are the Democrat sponsored mafia.

They can generally do what they want and if your wife isn't a member she is probably screwed. They have to keep extorting money out of their members to pay the fat cats at the top.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Its what happens when you deal with Unions. They are the Democrat sponsored mafia.

:thumbsup:

 

[Ronstang]

You are finally learning that unions don't care about the workers but rather the workers' dues?

 

[Newbian]

The letter says that in order to maintain active status we must pay the dues. Failure to pay will result in loss of active status and the benefits that go along with it.

One of the leaders goes so far as to claim that without the union protection the contract with the district that she signed is not enforceable because she is no longer in the union and that the union won't represent her if the district tries to renege and not offer her a spot teaching next year.

Um...isn't sad representation part of the benefits?

 

[Rage187]

You mean signing a deal with the Devil is a bad idea?

Anyhow, you should have paid up.

Oh and fuck unions in their lazy, labor monopoly ass.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I'm generally opposed to public sector unions but I don't think they are being unreasonable saying that they won't represent her if the district reneges. You can't have it both ways.

 

[KK]

Any union rep is only in it to better off themselves, they don't give two shits about anyone but themselves. It no better than any moron in politics.

 

[nanette1985]

My mom was a teacher, I taught for a year, my oldest daughter is a teacher. Your experience is normal for teachers' unions. Right or wrong has nothing to do with what's happening, you just have to live with it. A very similar thing happened to my daughter a couple years ago (maternity), fighting it was a waste of time. They do this all the time and have the experience, you don't know how to fight on their terms.

Recommendation - your wife should get her resume together and start making contacts and connections, just in case. Hopefully it will end well, but be prepared if it doesn't.

Daughter loves her newer job, a much nicer place to work, more pay and a much more cooperative staff. And I have a delightful 2-yr-old granddaughter.

Best to you & wife.

 

[spidey07]

Not part of the union, you don't get union "protection". The contract is contingent on her being in the union. Sorry. It's legalized extortion, and you didn't pay up.

You don't have a breech of contract chance in hell. One of the contingencies is being active in the union. Read the contract.

Edit. You're in Ohio, you guys had a chance to fix this and voted against your own interests.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

unions.
haha.

 

[Patranus]

Edit. You're in Ohio, you guys had a chance to fix this and voted against your own interests.

Yup.

 

[thobel]

I doubt you guys even have a clue what people in Ohio voted for or against..

 

[IronWing]

I see the usual hydra of anti-union fuckheads is out in force. Anyway, the contract is with the school board, not the union. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Svnla]

Kinda odd that particular union demanded a separate bill. In my previous place of employment, union due (UAW) was taken out per pay check, as with taxes and such.

OP, does your wife can put up with the cold/silent/shitty treatment from other union members? Union will not treat folks that would not join them kindly.

 

[sjwaste]

Given that this regards someone's livelihood, you should see an actual lawyer, and bring a copy of the contract. The conversation with the union rep after the fact is irrelevant.

 

[FallenHero]

Kinda odd that particular union demanded a separate bill. In my previous place of employment, union due (UAW) was taken out per pay check, as with taxes and such.

OP, does your wife can put up with the cold/silent/shitty treatment from other union members? Union will not treat folks that would not join them kindly.

That would normally be her dues. However, since she was receiving no paycheck, the union was not getting their dues either.

She is/was receiving what amounts to a union benefit. Once she stopped paying her dues, she stopped being an active member in good standing. It's the way it works with unions. Alot of your dues go towards upkeep of records and legal representation for all your members.

Good luck fighting it, but they are probably well within their rights to not represent your wife should anything bad happen.

 

[olds]

I would imagine that by not paying the dues, she's not entitled to Union representation. But, the contract is with the school district and still in full effect.
They wouldn't help in disciplinary hearings but she'd still be entitled to Union negotiated wages and benefits.

 

[lykaon78]

In this matter, the pro/anti union rhetoric is not helpful.

The question that needs answered is the contract contingent on union membership? I think no but was hoping for others input as we're sure not going to get straight answer from the union.

To others, my wife can deal with the potential scorn and I don't mind that the union won't represent my wife (we're not paying-why should they). I just don't want the school district to try and weasel out and not give her a job back.

 

[sjwaste]

In this matter, the pro/anti union rhetoric is not helpful.

The question that needs answered is the contract contingent on union membership? I think no but was hoping for others input as we're sure not going to get straight answer from the union.

To others, my wife can deal with the potential scorn and I don't mind that the union won't represent my wife (we're not paying-why should they). I just don't want the school district to try and weasel out and not give her a job back.

I don't mean to flame you, but this is the absolute wrong place to even ask this question. The union is saying they won't represent you, but even if they did, find an attorney. In this case, find an attorney that doesn't work with that union, or they'd be conflicted out.

Also, you're asking us if the contract is contingent on union membership. How would we know? We haven't seen the contract, nor do we represent you. Come on, man, this is someone's livelihood - lawyer up.

 

[lykaon78]

Given that this regards someone's livelihood, you should see an actual lawyer, and bring a copy of the contract. The conversation with the union rep after the fact is irrelevant.

Now that we're a single income family I'd prefer not to incur additional legal fees.

 

[sjwaste]

Now that we're a single income family I'd prefer not to incur additional legal fees.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but your wife wants her job back, right? Is the school district saying they won't take her back, or is the union just pissing a circle?

 

[olds]

In this matter, the pro/anti union rhetoric is not helpful.
This is OT, get used to it.

The question that needs answered is the contract contingent on union membership? I think no but was hoping for others input as we're sure not going to get straight answer from the union.
We haven't read the contract, how would we know?

To others, my wife can deal with the potential scorn and I don't mind that the union won't represent my wife (we're not paying-why should they). I just don't want the school district to try and weasel out and not give her a job back.

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[KK]

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[lykaon78]

I don't mean to flame you, but this is the absolute wrong place to even ask this question. The union is saying they won't represent you, but even if they did, find an attorney. In this case, find an attorney that doesn't work with that union, or they'd be conflicted out.

Also, you're asking us if the contract is contingent on union membership. How would we know? We haven't seen the contract, nor do we represent you. Come on, man, this is someone's livelihood - lawyer up.

I mentioned in the OP that I was more than willing to lawyer up and pay my self if needed. For now it's really just a topic of interest and conversation. The school district has said nothing.

The document that my wife signs lacks the specificity to address this matter. The master agreement between the union and school district may or may not. I don't have this immediately available.

I was simply hoping that others have had similar experience.