Florida Teacher Unions Risk Decertification Under Passed Bill

Florida teachers unions with less than 50 percent dues-paying membership could face decertification under a bill headed to the governor’s desk.

The Florida Senate and House gave final approval to H.B. 7055 on March 5. The omnibus education bill totals 207 pages and contains the labor union provisions of H.B. 25, which the House passed in January.

The provisions are similar to public-sector union requirements pursued in a number of GOP-majority state legislatures, in particular a 2011 Wisconsin law that survived federal court challenges, according to Florida Rep. Scott Plakon (R), who sponsored H.B. 25.

Supporters of the union requirement ...