Your voice is under attack this session. Defeat Anti-IEA, Anti-Union Legislation

HB 516 could significantly diminish Idaho Education Association’s organizing efforts and ability to communicate with members. The bill: 

Targets IEA

The bill places an extraordinary number of restrictions on only IEA members.

Limits worksite access

Under HB 516, IEA members will no longer be able to hold union meetings during breaks or otherwise scheduled times at their worksites. IEA members will also be banned from using public buildings for labor-management communication.   

Diminishes representation

Members will have to jump through bureaucratic hoops to exercise their right to union representation during disputes and disciplinary actions.   

Strangles communication

IEA will no longer be able to contact union members through their employer email systems.   

Complicates conflict

IEA members and public school districts will lose more control over how they can solve informal disputes.  

Kicks union members offsite

Union work related to bargaining, mediation and dispute resolutions will be moved outside of work hours and out of school facilities.   

Cuts pay

All educators who enjoy a professional development stipend through their collective bargaining agreement — including non-IEA members — will have that stipend stripped under this law so that it may not be used for union dues. 

Erodes local control

HB 516 will replace practices negotiated between school districts and union members, gutting local control and reducing flexibility.   

Weakens Children’s Fund, PACE and CTL

Even IEA’s longstanding Children’s Fund, which has provided more than $1.5 million to Idaho public school families so they can buy essentials like glasses and backpacks and shoes, will be a target under HB 516 because it will be considered an “affiliate” of IEA. The Political Action Committee for Education and the Center for Teaching and Learning falls under the bill's definition of "affiliate" as well.