Author: Kate Bowers
Date: December 1, 2021
Source: Publicly Schooled
“I once read that civil rights cases are the most common topic of litigation. Yet, teachers’ unions do not provide legal protection for such violations.
In several states across the nation teachers have lost their jobs through wrongful termination, attributed to coronavirus vaccine policies. Religious exemptions have been duly accepted, but the accommodations required have subjected teachers to religious discrimination – a direct violation of the civil rights code under Title VII. If ever there was a time for the union to step in and defend its teachers, it’s now. The problem is, they’re not.
The NEA website lists the so-called benefits of being a union member. They tout their liability insurance as the number one reason to join; scaring teachers into thinking there are people out to sue them at every turn. Their fear campaign has been highly successful over the last five decades…Just look at the billions of dollars they’ve taken in during that time.
They bet on teachers not reading the fine print, or taking the time to truly understand what legal protection they are actually being offered. The NEA explains what is covered and not covered on their website – but it’s a very general explanation. It sounds great, unless…civil rights are the number one topic of litigation. The NEA takes your money, and if your civil rights are violated on the job, they just say, “I’m so sorry, we don’t cover civil rights issues.” How convenient.
If you aren’t alarmed at the absence of unions coming to the aid of wrongfully terminated teachers, you might ask yourself why. Even if you think those teachers should shut up and get vaccinated already. If the union isn’t helping those with violated civil rights now, they won’t be helping you if you’re in that boat, either.
Here’s what their website says:
“Payment of the legal defense costs of up to $3,000,000 per occurrence in defending civil proceedings(other than proceedings concerning Civil Rights) brought against you in the course of performing your educational employment activities.”
https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educators-employment-liability-program
Union membership isn’t what’s it’s cracked up to be, as too many teachers are now finding out the hard way. Better legal coverage that’s actually legal coverage is out there…Consider making a switch.
For help ending your union membership and for sources of professional liability insurance, check these helpful sites:”
Kate Bowers is the recognized Teacher Shepherd for For Kids & Country. Her writings may also be viewed on her blog at Publicly Schooled.