Idaho teachers have a non-union choice

Back to school season is upon us. This celebrated time of year provides students and teachers with a welcome fresh start. It's also the perfect time for Idaho's hardworking teachers to consider whether union membership is right for them.

For generations, educators have joined teachers' unions with the trust that their money will help advance their profession. Unfortunately, the nation's largest teacher union, the National Education Association - known in Idaho as the Idaho Education Association - has morphed from a respected education association to behemoth political special interest group.

In recent years, educators nationwide have grown increasingly frustrated by the high dues, partisan political spending and adversarial tactics of their labor unions. In 2013 alone, more than 60,000 teachers left the NEA. This mass exodus has not only gained national headlines but has left teachers questioning the value of pricey union membership - which can run as high as $700 a year right here in Idaho.

What we take for granted in Idaho is that there are millions of teachers who live in states or districts where they are required to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. And while there are thousands of teachers here at home who freely exercise their right to opt out of union membership, union-created roadblocks and state laws that favor union chiefs over teachers leave many educators unaware that they have options. Often, they are beholden to arbitrary "drop" periods surreptitiously extending their union membership, or are fooled to believe there are no other organizations that can meet their needs as educators. (IEA requires resignation in writing by Oct. 15.)

Depending on the school district, teachers are constantly subject to policies that keep them from making informed decisions. Misinformation and convoluted opt-out requirements may keep union dues flowing, but they're anti-teacher choice.

Idaho's hardworking school employees deserve more.

There are hundreds of teachers who once they learn that they have options, select a non-union option such as Northwest Professional Educators instead of the teachers union. Unfortunately, many teachers miss the unadvertised union drop period deadline of Oct. 15 and have to fork over up to $700 for dues in an organization to which they do not want to belong or risk a damaging lawsuit.

Freedom of choice for teachers is at the heartbeat of why Northwest Professional Educators (NWPE) is growing as a non-union alternative to teacher labor unions in the state. Our organization is adamantly opposed to any policy where teachers are forced to join - or pay fees to - a private organization just for the privilege of taking a position in a public school. We believe teachers are educated professionals who should decide whether union membership matches their personal budget and beliefs. We would never hold on to a member's money if they were interested in dropping membership. We owe it to our teachers to put them in control of their own paychecks.

The fact is worker freedom is an American value. The data on this point is clear: a new poll released by National Employee Freedom Week shows that nearly 28 percent of Idaho's union households would leave their unions if given the chance. Nationally, 33 percent of respondents said the same thing.

Our teachers are a treasure; they should not be kept from exercising their rights. The fact remains that educators deserve to know what options they have. Only then can they exercise their right to make informed decisions on where to send their hard-earned dollars. This new school year, it's not just our students who need to learn that knowledge is power.

A former educator, Cindy Omlin is the Executive Director of Northwest Professional Educators.