MEA tells legislators Union Bylaws don't conflict with Michigan's Right to Work

Representatives from the Michigan Education Association told lawmakers investigating the union's compliance with the state's right-to-work law that its practices are in compliance with the law.

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Doug Pratt, the union's temporary director of member benefits, told the Senate Compliance and Accountability Committee on Wednesday that the union's "August window" for member withdrawals was protected by provisions of the right-to-work law passed one year ago.
"MEA is confident that we are consistently and fairly implementing our organization's rules about membership resignation, and that those rules are lawful," Pratt told the committee.

MEA defends itself in Right-to-Work suit

Doug Pratt, temporary director of member benefits for the MEA, said Thursday that the case has nothing to do with right to work but is instead about enforcing contracts between the union and its members.

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"Membership organizations don't go around marketing how to quit. That's not how this works," Pratt said.

Teachers suing the MEA find support gathering

A Coopersville teacher said other colleagues across the state are starting to reach out to her, a day after multiple unfair labor practices complaints were filed against the Michigan Education Association on behalf of her and seven others who allege they were kept from leaving the sprawling teachers' union.

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Also, this is the second law suit in two weeks against the MEA. Another teacher sued last week for unfair labor practice. Article here.  

Michigan teacher sues MEA over union requirement

Miriam Chanski, a kindergarten teacher in Coopersville, says the debate is not about why she doesn’t want to be part of the MEA, but rather her right to not to be forced to be in a union after Governor Snyder signed a bill making Michigan a Right to Work State.
“I chose to opt out and it’s not being honored,” said Chanski.
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