By Victor Skinner
EAGnews.org

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Teachers accused of drug use on the job or abusing students are entitled to a due process hearing and a union-provided advocate to fight for their “rights.”

The same goes for union teachers accused of just about any type of wrongdoing. But there is one offense that’s completely unforgivable for union leaders: nonpayment of union dues.

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Kalamazoo teacher Lori Erk learned that lesson the hard way while on medical leave from Kalamazoo Public Schools this school year, Mackinac.org reports.

“According to court documents, Lori Erk went on medical leave in May 2011. Though the district initially approved the leave, it was subsequently unapproved, meaning that Erk had no source of income after June 2011,” the news site reports.

But that didn’t stop officials from Erk’s teacher’s union – the Kalamazoo Education Association – from demanding she cough up her dues for the current school year, despite her continued medical absence.

“After several written requests, the KEA made its final request in January 2012, when KEA President Millie Lambert sent Erk an email requesting that she pay the $411.25” in dues, Mackinac.org reports.

“Erk Responded: I HAVE NO INCOME!!!!!!!! Why are you coming after me??? I have always supported KEA and you personally!! I had so much respect for you.”

Weeks later, Erk was fired from the school district under a provision in the KEA contract that requires the district to terminate any employee who doesn’t pay their union dues – or a “fee” for union representation in the same amount, Mackinac.org reports.

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It’s bad enough that most teachers are forced to join the union as a condition of employment. It’s outrageous that unions can demand their termination for not paying dues, and school districts are bound to carry out the order.

These are school employees, not union employees. The relationship between the employee and their union should have nothing to do with employment status. School districts should be able to hire and fire whomever they want, regardless of what the union wants.

When school officials attempt to remove a teacher for bad behavior or drug or alcohol use during work time, there is far less urgency from the union to act. That says a lot about the priorities of teachers unions in public schools.

“No serious argument can be made that the practice of firing teachers who do not give money to the union helps students learn,” Mackinac.org reports. “The only possible reason for these terminations (and the threat of termination) is to preserve the power of a single union within the district.”

We certainly agree.

It’s a shame teachers unions aren’t as passionate about removing teachers who don’t deserve to be in a classroom as they are about removing the ones who simply can’t afford the privilege.