How would I benefit from joining EEA?
EEA offers its members:
- Quality Staff Development
- Opportunities to be appointed to District Committees
- Involvement in professional issues
- Free Financial Planning
- Legal protection to uphold rights of members
- $1,000,000 professional liability insurance
- Representation in grievances
- Lobbying and political action
- Full time professional staff assistance
- Support for National Board Certification
- Regular newsletter / publications / professional journals
- Public relations for the teaching profession
- Low cost group insurance opportunities
- NEA / AFT member discount benefits
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Does everyone have to join EEA?
There is a collective bargaining law in Florida that gives an individual the right to join or not join a union. Of course, we believe anyone who benefits from EEA’s efforts would want to join our organization. Furthermore, it’s one of the marks of a professional to join and support one’s professional organization in working to improve the profession.
It would be wonderful if we could go to the bargaining table with the strength of all teachers in Escambia County behind us when EEA makes its proposals to the School Board. Our contract is directly representative of EEA’s power and influence.
A majority of the teachers presently employed in Escambia County are members. However, our goal is to contact all non-members personally and ask them to join EEA so we can truly speak and act as one united voice before the School Board, the community, and the Legislature.
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Do members and non-members receive the same benefits just because EEA is the exclusive bargaining agent with the School Board?
No, not entirely. Florida law says that a union does not have to represent non-members in grievances, and EEA has formally adopted a policy to coincide with that law. Legal counsel, in the event of duty-related difficulties, is limited to members only. Also, certain insurance plans are available only to EEA members, as well as opportunities to serve on official committees representing teachers.
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How are my dues determined?
Local dues are set by our Representative Assembly. This Council is comprised of your colleagues elected by the members at your school.
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What if I’d like to belong to the union, but I can’t afford it?
You can’t afford NOT to belong. Some people can’t afford to be sick but that doesn't’t mean they never have to go to a doctor. Union membership is protection when you need it. Let’s hope you never need to file a grievance or get transferred against your will. But if you do, EEA is there to help you with legal counsel and/or professional help.
Most of all, the power of EEA at the bargaining table is directly related to the number of members in our organization. Benefits derived from discount buying, low cost insurance, higher salaries, etc., more than offset the cost of your dues.
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With which organizations is EEA affiliated?
EEA is affiliated with the Florida Education Association, with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA). When you join EEA, you automatically become a member of these organizations. As a result, you have representation at the local, state and national levels. Because the AFT is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, we gain additional support for public education. The AFL-CIO, whose 16 million members include many parents of students in our public schools, lobbies vigorously in the State Legislature, in Congress, and before school boards for items that will benefit schools and children. It is the one group that has consistently supported public education for 100 years.
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Has EEA been involved in activities pertaining to educational improvement?
Yes, EEA has been very active in these areas. We are providing leadership in the design of Curriculum in Escambia County. We provide a program, Educational Research & Dissemination (ER&D) that enables teachers to learn the latest in educational research on effective instruction and to incorporate this in practical ways in the classroom. This program is a union developed, district supported venture. We also assist in the process of implementing National Board certification of teachers.
Through joint committee work, EEA has provided teachers with opportunities to collaborate on development of the district’s research-based teacher evaluation system (ETAS).
Within our membership are many people who have made outstanding contributions to education locally, statewide and nationally. As a result, EEA is considered an organization on the forefront of meeting today’s educational challenges.
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If EEA is a union, couldn't’t we be required to strike?
No. Strikes are against Florida Law for public school employees.
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Who conducts the business of EEA?
Five officers and nine district directors comprise the EEA Board. They are members, elected by secret ballot, who conduct the business of our organization. The President, one of the fourteen members, is released by the School Board (from teaching duties) to be a full time president of EEA. The salary is paid by EEA from dues money.
The members at your school elect an Association Representative (AR) who meets monthly with ARs from each school to set EEA policy. Your AR is responsible for seeing that information is disseminated, grievances are handled and questions are answered at your school.
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Who negotiates my contract?
EEA is the exclusive bargaining agent for all Escambia County teachers.
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Is our contract a good one?
Yes, we have one with excellent provisions but any contract is only as good as its enforcement. When you suspect any part of your contract is not being adhered to, contact your Association Representative at once. He/she will advise you about the necessary steps to take.
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Name some things EEA has negotiated in our contract with the School Board.
Improved salaries; duty-free lunch time; a written grievance procedure ending with binding arbitration; six paid holidays; Board-paid health and life insurance; salary supplements for special duties; paid personal leave days; daily planning periods; and much more.
The current contract is available electronically at the EEA and Escambia County Schools websites. A hard copy of the contract has been provided to each school’s media center.
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Does EEA have an office?
Yes, we do. In fact, we own the building we use as an office. It is located at 6551 N Palafox, Pensacola. We have a full time Staff, consisting of two Service Unit Directors and two Secretaries who work to meet the needs of our members.
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What if I don’t always agree with some things the union does?
Do you agree 100% with what any organization, church, or political group you belong to does? Or do you even agree 100% with your spouse? As a member, you have a voice in changing EEA’s policies. Only members have the right to run for office, vote on decisions that are made, elect delegates, and choose an Association Representative for your school.
If you feel a change is needed, there is a way to do it. Become involved yourself, and urge your friends to do likewise. Remember, every member has one vote.
Since EEA represents all the teachers in our school system, be a member and let your opinion help shape the decisions made. Our common ground is greater than our differences.
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When teachers file grievances, does this mean that EEA must protect teachers, even if they are incompetent?
EEA does not have the right to judge the competence or incompetence of teachers. That is the job of the school system administration. We simply assure that every teacher is provided with due process. In this way, a teacher can be assured of having his/her rights protected under the law. At the same time we urge all teachers to be aware of their professional responsibilities and to seek to demonstrate the highest standards of professional performance.
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I believe teachers and administrators should be allies. After all, they are all educators too. What do you think?
EEA has a good working relationship with the school administration in Escambia County. Our organization tries to be cooperative whenever possible, and we believe the administration feels the same way toward EEA. Of course, we may sometimes disagree on certain policies or on some negotiable items, but ultimately, we strive to work out our disagreements amicably. |
