The Latest from VEA

The following statement is from Dr. James J. Fedderman, President of the Virginia Education Association, regarding the move to eliminate union dues payroll deduction for members of the Spotsylvania Education Association:

What are the members of the Spotsylvania School Board afraid of? Fear seems to be the only discernible motivation for the radical move they intend to vote on during Monday’s meeting—to remove the longstanding right of Spotsylvania Education Association members to pay their membership dues through payroll deduction, a practice in place in just about every school division in Virginia.

The board appears to be making a union busting attempt in order to squelch any and all comments and possible opposition by educators to some of the extreme policies some of its members and the county’s superintendent support. Why else would they go to such lengths NOT to hear from the county’s hardworking teachers and support professionals, the ones actually working every day with Spotsylvania’s students?

It’s also interesting to note that only SEA is being targeted with this potential move. Other employee organizations, who have been less vocal and politically active, are not mentioned. It’s also interesting to note that SEA was in no way consulted.

The board is continuing with its recent politically driven agenda, seemingly bent on imposing its thinking on county students and educators without regard for how those children and professionals feel about it.

It’s a bad move and one that should be strongly opposed by all who support public education in the county.