Pension advocates in Arizona are pushing back on a proposed ballot initiative that would restrict the actions of teachers unions, allow educators to be punished for organized work stoppages, and potentially strip them of their state pensions.

Critics of the measure call it mean-spirited and draconian overreach, but supporters argue they need reliable teachers for their children.

President of the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, Linda Somo, said HCR 2040 would block educators from meeting in their own schools to discuss workplace issues, override existing agreements between school districts and employees, and ban payroll deduction for union dues.

"The worst thing, in my opinion," said Somo, "is it would take away the rights of any individual who participated in any way in a work stoppage or a strike, and would take away their pension."

The ballot question would go before voters in November, pending the requisite number of signatures. Any ballot measure in the state requires a number of signatures that's at least 15% of the voting population in the last gubernatorial election.

The measure says even teachers who are perceived to be coordinating a work stoppage would be punished. Somo said it could even apply in instances where a teacher takes a sick day.

"And they happen to share that information with another teacher who also might be sick," said Somo, "they could be accused of doing a work stoppage if they stay home from work because they have the flu."

The effort to get HCR 2040 on the ballot follows a major work stoppage by Arizona teachers in 2018. During the Red for Ed protest, at least 50,000 Arizona teachers and supporters marched on the steps of the State Capitol, demanding a 20% pay raise and increased school funding.

Several schools were forced to temporarily close during the event. Vestiges of Red for Ed remain today, and teachers continue to use their organizing power to push for better pay and working conditions.

Source: Public News Service