ORLANDO, Fla. — Several teachers unions are suing after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a change in the way teachers pay union dues.

The complaint from the Florida Education Association is challenging the law under the 1st and 14th amendments.

The bill, signed Tuesday, will also force unions to increase their membership or possibly lose union status.

Clinton McCracken, president of Orange County’s Classroom Teachers’ Association, represents 14,000 teachers. He believes the governor has an axe to grind.

“When you stand up against this governor, the governor attacks you. That’s what he’s done with Disney and politicians around the state, and has done it with school boards around the state,” said McCracken.

He said his teachers will have to pay their union dues on their own, and not through their normal payroll deduction route.

“Takes away the ability for our members to pay their dues through payroll deduction," he said.

The bill also requires unions to reach a 60% total membership threshold. If membership is not met, the union will have to recertify or possibly lose union status. 

Clinton says his union membership in Orange County is close to 57%. 

He believes the union will meet the 60% goal by the April deadline of next year.

Dan Smith, President of the Seminole Education Association, represents over 2,000 teachers.  His union membership is at just over 51%. Meeting his goal by December of this year will be challenging, he said.

“I know the teachers very well in this district, I know they are going to stand up and get this done. It’s going to be tough; it’s going to be hard,” said Smith.

Smith believes Seminole County will have to work hard to drive up membership in order to meet all deadlines.