Non-Union Teacher Fees Approved by School Board

Strengthening the teachers union’s bid for a major change in district policy, the Los Angeles Board of Education tentatively approved a proposal Monday that would allow United Teachers-Los Angeles to charge service fees of non-union teachers.

On a 5-2 vote, the board adopted a motion by Mark Slavkin directing Supt. Leonard Britton to negotiate with the union to permit the collection of the fees, amounting to more than $350 a year.

The motion also provides that, in accordance with state law, a majority of the district’s 32,000 teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians would have to approve of the change. They would vote on the issue in the fall if the board gives final approval. A public hearing will be held Thursday and a final board vote is set for Sept. 11.

Voting in favor were Slavkin, Leticia Quezada, Jackie Goldberg, Warren Furutani and Julie Korenstein. Rita Walters and Roberta Weintraub were opposed.

Britton also opposed the motion, saying that the board would be giving up a “valuable bargaining chip.” In previous contract negotiations, the district supported the fees only in exchange for the right to transfer experienced teachers from suburban to inner-city schools. The current proposal does not ask for union concessions.

Slavkin, who was elected in June with strong UTLA backing, said, “It’s not right and it’s not fair” that non-union members should benefit from union representation without paying for it.

The union has nearly 23,000 members, but bargains on behalf of all 32,000 teachers and other employees. The recently approved teachers’ contract, for instance, which was won after a nine-day strike, gives all teachers a 24% raise over three years.

Walters, in opposition, accused the union of “strong-arm muscle tactics” that would create more disharmony in the district.

The fee also is opposed by the Professional Educators of Los Angeles, an association of non-union teachers.

The fee would apply to about 5,000 full-time credentialed employees, UTLA Vice President Frances Heywood said. A non-member would pay a fee equal to 90% of regular UTLA dues, or about $369 a year. The fees would add about $1.8 million to the union’s annual $5-million budget, Heywood said.