Educators in Florida have voted for the 200th consecutive time to recertify their local union, according to the Florida Education Association (FEA). Since the passage of Senate Bill 256 in May 2023, which introduced new requirements for union recertification, more than 50 FEA locals have undergone two rounds of recertification elections. The FEA reports that an average of 94.5% of ballots cast in these elections supported keeping their unions and maintaining collective bargaining agreements.
The state-mandated recertification process is overseen by the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) and requires significant resources from agency staff, as well as costs related to printing and preparation. These expenses are partly funded by taxpayers. The implementation of SB 256 increased both the administrative burden and financial cost associated with these elections.
SB 256 also ended the practice that allowed public employees—including teachers, professors, graduate assistants, and education staff—to pay union dues through automatic payroll deduction. Some provisions of this law have faced legal challenges, with courts expressing constitutional concerns and blocking or limiting certain aspects.
The FEA highlighted ongoing economic difficulties facing educators in Florida, noting that rising costs for healthcare, childcare, food, and property insurance continue to outpace wage growth. The organization argues that policies such as SB 256 not only increase taxpayer spending but also make it harder for workers to achieve financial stability.
“When educators and education workers are given the opportunity to vote, they vote overwhelmingly to keep their unions. They know that when they come together in a union, they can advocate for a better life, better wages, and better benefits. Florida’s educators want what all working people want: to pay their bills with a single job, access affordable healthcare, work without political interference, and retire with dignity after a lifetime of service. We will continue to stand together for Florida’s public school students, our families, and our communities. After nearly three years of asking why they keep making it harder for us to pay our bills and ensure that our children are getting the education they deserve and need, it is time for lawmakers to focus on helping every Floridian achieve a better future,” said representatives from the FEA.
The FEA is the largest professional employee association in Florida with about 120,000 members representing PreK-12 teachers, higher education faculty members, educational staff professionals, students preparing to become teachers at colleges and universities across the state as well as retired education employees.
