As the 2011 legislative session continues, states across the country are proceeding with legislation that seeks to curb union power and implement sweeping education reform. While the developments in Wisconsin and Ohio have seen the most media attention, there are a total of 729 bills currently pending in 48 states dealing with unions and union power, according to a database compiled by the non-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures. While not every state is making national headlines, the enormous amount of legislation is a sign of what will undoubtedly be the largest shift in union power in generations.   Continue Reading...

As the legislative session moves full steam ahead, states across the country are proceeding with legislation that seeks to curb union power and implement broad education reform. While the developments in Wisconsin and Ohio have seen the most heated debate, there are a total of 729 bills currently pending in 48 states dealing with unions and collective bargaining, according to a database compiled by the non-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures. While not every state is making national headlines, the sheer volume proves that we are witnessing a monumental shift in union power that we haven't seen in generations.   Continue Reading...

Slashed budgets and threats of teacher lay-offs have been dominating headlines in most states. The economic climate and labor battles have had an obvious effect on teachers across the country; however, not much has been said about the thousands of teachers who leave these states for teaching jobs in bordering states often times in search of higher pay or choice in membership affiliation.   Continue Reading...

Beginning in Wisconsin, legislation aimed at curbing union power, advancing education reform policy, and ending forced unionism has spread across the country. Currently states in every part of the country are in various stages of passing their own laws as the protests and debates rage on. The national unions and their state counterparts are on the defensive, organizing large ballot initiative campaigns and considering increasing their dues to pay for their efforts to preserve their monopolies. Make sure to follow the news in your state by reading AAE's daily blog posts.   Continue Reading...

House Reauthorizes SOAR Act   Continue Reading...

Since the news in Wisconsin broke, more than 12 states have adopted similar legislation aimed at curbing union power, advancing education reform policy, and ending forced unionism. The national unions and their state counterparts have proven that regardless of outcomes in the legislature, they will fight on in court- spending countless dollars on organizing ballot initiatives and recalls. Make sure to follow the news in your state by reading AAE's daily blog posts.   Continue Reading...

Listen Live to AAEApril 4- April 8, 2011

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Listen Live to AAEMarch 28- April 1, 2011

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It has been a busy few months for AAE and our state affiliates. More than 12 states are in various stages of advancing laws that deal with curbing union power, advancing education reform, and ending forced unionism. The unions have proved that regardless of whether or not they win battles in the legislature, they will take the fight to the courts and potential ballot initiatives in the next election cycle.   Continue Reading...

In light of the labor battles brewing across the country, members and others interested in our organization have inquired about AAE's position on compulsory unionism, forced dues, strikes, and sick-outs.   Continue Reading...

The fight in Wisconsin is far from over. Last week, Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi issued a temporary restraining order barring the new law until she can rule whether Republicans violated Wisconsin's open meetings law. While this is a setback for the Wisconsin legislation, other states are following Governor Walker's lead and are in various stages of pushing labor reform legislation.   Continue Reading...

Since the labor battle broke in Wisconsin we have been hearing from teachers across the country in forced union states who take issue with paying forced dues.  Teachers who don’t see value in a one-size-fits-all system to teachers who do not want to support certain union-funded political causes have all been speaking out. Recently a teacher in the compulsory union state of California penned an op-ed that has resonated with the thousands of other teachers who do not want to support the union in their state.   Continue Reading...

In July 2009, the National Education Association's General Counsel, Bob Chanin delivered a shocking speech that outlined the true priorities of the NEA: money and power. The claims were met by thunderous applause by the union leadership and members in attendance and these revelations generated significant commentary throughout the blogosphere.

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In the wake of union-crippling legislation in Wisconsin, signed into law today, legislatures across the country are in various stages of passing their own bills that encourage education reforms and sweeping changes to union monopolies. This week Florida is making headlines for moving one step closer to their own bold law that encourages bold education reforms.   Continue Reading...

After a month of union led protests, national media attention, walk-outs, and closed schools, Republicans in the Wisconsin state Senate and Assembly have finally approved Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill. The Governor is expected to sign it imminently.

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The battle over state budgets and union power rages on as Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, and Indiana lawmakers are in various stages of passing landmark legislation. Despite lingering protests, weeks of media coverage, attempted filibusters and walk-outs, experts are speculating that we could see concessions from both sides beginning this week.   Continue Reading...

Listen Live to AAEMarch 7- 12, 2011

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For over three weeks, union members, leaders and activists have converged in Madison to protest Governor Walker's bill to end forced unionism and close major budget shortfalls. Experts have called Madison ground zero for the labor battle that has been heating up all over the country. This weekend additional protests from both sides and efforts to persuade AWOL legislators to come back to the state have once again gained nation headlines.   Continue Reading...

With labor protests continuing in state capitals in Wisconsin and Ohio, many are wondering how the situation will resolve itself with either passed legislation or concessions. Today the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate passed a bill that would end forced unionism and make it illegal for public employees to engage in strikes. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin emergency legislation was enacted to fine senators for each day they boycott the budget vote.   Continue Reading...

For the past two weeks, Wisconsin union leaders and members have gathered steadily in Madison in hopes of pressuring lawmakers to drop a bill that would end forced unionism and aims to close monumental budget shortfalls. With no legislative progress, the war of words is heating up in Wisconsin as some experts are calling this the "death knell" of big labor --yielding commentary by President Obama.   Continue Reading...