The National Education Association Staff Organization (NEASO) — representing the staff of America's largest labor union — has evidently hit an impasse in a labor dispute over what employees at the National Education Association called out as a "slew of anti-union delay tactics."
The result of the impasse: a secret vote of members that yielded 98 percent support for authorizing a strike. Essentially, the union for employees of the nation's largest union is ready to strike against said union for allegedly being anti-union.
Inbox: Staff at the nation's largest teachers' union have authorized a strike against the nation's largest teachers' union.
— Andrew Ujifusa (@AndrewUjifusa) June 16, 2021
NEASO President Robin McLean: "We refuse to back down from management’s anti-union tactics" that run counter to NEA's values. pic.twitter.com/s6UG7FgquV
NEA staffers are not keeping quiet about how they're being treated, either.
"After persevering to support our nation's educators and their #UNION through the #COVID19 pandemic, NEA's bargaining approaches and offers are a slap in the face," tweeted one employee.
After persevering to support our nation's educators and their #UNION through the #COVID19 pandemic, NEA's bargaining approaches and offers are a slap in the face. I'm truly uplifted and committed to our work and getting our due by my #NEASO brothers and sisters #NEASOstrong! pic.twitter.com/Fno32OSb9W
— Kimberly Bertocci (@bertocci_k) June 16, 2021
Even as its own staff threatens a strike, NEA told the Washington Post "it is fully committed to and respects the collective bargaining process and unequivocally supports our staff’s right to use that process to advocate for themselves.”
The staff organization stated that "striking is a last resort, but it is something we are ready to do" in response to what its members characterize as "asking staff to accept stagnant pay now and well into the future at a time when inflation and the cost of living are skyrocketing" while "also trying to hike healthcare costs and slash retirement benefits that were promised to employees who dedicated their careers to the union’s mission."
The National Education Association’s staff union has voted overwhelmingly (98%) to authorize a strike, per press release. Statement from the staff unions president: pic.twitter.com/wNvZKxm5wC
— Dave Jamieson (@jamieson) June 16, 2021