Teachers challenge G.O.P. law prohibiting dues deductions

Sen. London Lamar: ‘Teachers are right to challenge this blatantly unconstitutional law’

NASHVILLE — Senate Democratic Caucus chairwoman Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, issued today a statement in support of a lawsuit challenging a state law limiting the right of educators to make paycheck deductions for their professional association.

“All workers, including teachers, deserve the freedom to organize for better pay, benefits and working conditions — without interference from politicians. The controlling party passed a law to diminish the collective power of educators and our teachers are right to challenge this blatantly unconstitutional law in court.”

Background: This winter, Gov. Bill Lee announced his intention to increase Tennessee’s base educator pay to $50,000 by 2027. But the legislation that enabled the multi-year pay increase also included an anti-union policy to prohibit school districts from applying payroll deductions for professional association fees.

You can read the statement issued by the Tennessee Education Association announcing the lawsuit here.