NEA, the Nation's Largest Union, Accused of "Union Busting," Locks Out Its Union Staff
The National Education Association is accused of doubling down on "anti-union tactics" and throwing their employees "under the bus."
By Peter List, Editor | July 8, 2024
Following a strike by its unionized staff during its convention in Philadelphia over the weekend, the National Education Association (NEA)—the nation’s largest labor union—has chosen to lockout the unionized workers.
As reported here, on Friday, the National Education Association Staff Organizations (NEASO) went out on a three-day strike against the NEA over alleged unfair labor practices as the union is trying to reach a new contract with NEA management.
Though the strike was a “quickie strike,” intended to last through Sunday, its timing caused embarrassment for NEA management as it occurred during the NEA’s annual convention in Philadelphia. It also caused President Biden to cancel his appearance on Sunday.
As a result of the strike, when union staffers were due to report to work on Monday, NEA management notified them, they would be locked out of their jobs until a contract is reached.
“Nearly 300 staff members working at the union’s headquarters in Washington will be affected by the lockout,” reported Education Week on Sunday. “They will not be paid, and won’t work, until they reach agreement on a contract. The staff organization’s contract ended May 31.”
“On Monday, July 8th we were supposed to return to work after the conclusion of our three day Unfair Labor Practice strike,” the NEASO stated on its website. “We were looking forward to getting back to our jobs and to supporting NEA members.”
Despite the support NEASO members received from NEA members on the picket line (see these powerful videos from Utah, Massachusetts, Washington, California, Pennsylvania, and Oregon educators), and decided that instead of shifting to uphold union values, they were going to double down on the anti-union tactics practiced by the very worst school districts and bosses across the country.
This behavior not only threatens the well being, health, and safety of NEASO employees, it sets a precedent that threatens the labor movement as a whole—and stops NEASO members from supporting the important work of NEA’s members.
NEA leaders are not only willing to throw their employees under the bus, they are willing to harm NEA members and the future of the labor movement too.
Though less common than union strikes, employers like the NEA usually have a legal right to lock out unionized workers.
In the event that the National Labor Relations Board finds merit in the union’s claims of unfair labor practices by the NEA, locking out its unionized staff could lead to the NEA being found guilty of another unfair labor practice. In such a case, the NEA may be required to compensate the workers for the wages lost during the lockout.
Here is how the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) explains lawful and unlawful lockouts (p. 19, in PDF):
The NEA’s motivations for locking out the union staff are unclear.
It could be that the NEA is merely protecting itself from another “quickie strike” by the NEASO which, in that case, may be okay.
However, if the NEA is retaliating against its union workers for the embarrassment it caused the union by essentially canceling its union convention and the negative fallout over President Biden’s cancelation, that could determine how the NLRB views the legality of the lockout.
The union, for its part, is asking people not to do their union work.
“We want to let NEA know that they will not get away with this union busting behavior,” the union states. “Don’t be a scab. Doing the work of NEASO members undermines our union and violates the union values that we all share.”
Related:
Biden Cancels Speech At NEA Convention Over Staff Strike, Though Some Doubt The Reason
Labor Relations 101: How 'Quickie Strikes' Turn Into Lockouts
