ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida teachers are raising concern over new measures considered by state lawmakers. SB 256 and companion HB 1445 would require unions representing public employees to have at least 60 percent participation. If they don’t, they risk decertification.

“It means that teachers lose their voice. It means educators in general lose their voice,” said 4th grade teacher Emily Gorentz.

Gorentz is the Instructional Vice President of the Osceola County Education Association. She says she’s worried if her union is put in jeopardy, it could contribute to a teacher shortage.

“We need every person we can, and our union has the same goal as our district, which is to retain people,” said Gorentz.

The sponsor of SB 256, Senator Blaise Ingoglia, says he hopes raising participation requirements will ensure unions will better serve public employees.

“You can’t listen to what the majority of the union members want unless there are more union members involved in their process,” said Senator Ingoglia while discussing the bill. 

According to an analysis by the Florida Senate, a number of Florida teacher’s unions sat below 60 percent participation for the 2021-2022 school year.

A few years ago, the Florida legislature approved a bill that upped participation at the time to 50 percent. Under that measure, teachers’ unions across the state swelled participation numbers to meet the requirement.

This latest bill includes other changes, including one that prevents unions from deducting dues straight from their payroll.

“It creates an extra burden on teachers and how they pay their dues,” said Orange County Classroom Teachers Association President Clinton McCracken.

SB 256 has already passed in the Senate. Meanwhile, HB 1445 is slated to have its second reading in the House.

Celeste Springer is the education beat reporter for Spectrum News 13. If you have a story idea or concern, you can email her at celeste.springer@charter.com.