Presidents Insider -- Information on competing groups trying to organize our members

Competing organizations starting to organize for post-Janus world

We've talked about getting ready for opposition groups in a post-Janus world. Now, we are starting to get our first real taste of what's to come. 

We believe that one of these competing organizations, which will try to sign up our members, is having teacher focus groups in the west metro April 25. This organization is using Ascendancy Research Group in an effort to hear about members' needs and desires, and then tailor the organization's communications and programs to presumably meet those concerns. Basically, they'll eventually try to sell themselves as a cheaper union alternative.

We believe the focus group is being sponsored by Resource Training Solutions and, strictly because of the locals targeted, possibly the Metro Ed Service Coop - two service cooperatives. If you look through the registration, it is clear they are targeting our members. They even ask if members are involved in our union. 

Here are the districts it appears they are targeting: 

• Annandale (Wright County) 
• Belle Plaine (Scott County) 
• Big Lake (Sherburne County) 
• Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose (Wright County) 
• Centennial (Anoka County) 
• Central (Carver County) 
• Dassel-Cokato (Wright County) 
• Delano (Wright County) 
• Eastern Carver County (Carver County) 
• Edina (Hennepin County) 
• Elk River (Sherburne County) 
• Jordan (Scott County) 
• Maple Lake (Wright County) 
• Minnetonka (Hennepin County) 
• Monticello (Wright County) 
• New Prague (Scott County) 
• Orono (Hennepin County) 
• Prior Lake Savage (Scott County) 
• St. Francis (Anoka County) 
• St. Michael Albertville (Wright County) 
• Waconia (Carver County) 
• Watertown Mayer (Carver County) 
• Wayzata (Hennepin County) 

As I indicated, these "fake union" organizations try to bill themselves as alternatives to the union. What they won't tell educators is they provide liability insurance and pared-down legal services - and little more. Little or low-quality professional development, no help on contract negotiations, no support on working conditions, no lobbying for public education and public school staff and no help passing local levies.  

One of these type of groups is the Coalition of Independent Education Associations (CIEA), a loosely structured coalition of union-alternative groups in 24 states including Iowa. You can visit the Tennessee affiliate's website to get a sense of the network.  

We also need to watch for outright drop campaigns. The Center of the American Experiment recently outlined its plan to attack Education Minnesota and try to get our members to leave. The drop campaign will be called Educated Teachers MN. 

To discuss these opposition groups and campaigns, we will conduct a special local leaders conference call Monday, April 23, at 7 p.m. We will send out call-in information for that call soon. In addition, we will start a new weekly e-newsletter next Tuesday updating leaders on Janus-related developments, strategies and resources.
 

Please continue to check in with your field staff if you suspect any potential organizing or drop campaigns are brewing in your area.
 

Tell us what to ask the candidates for governor

We want to know what issues matter to YOU as educators and community members. What will motivate you to vote or become politically active in the 2018 campaign?

Our goal this fall is to elect a pro-public education governor who will support educators in our work to win improvements for our schools, our communities and our own families, but we need your input first. Before making a collective endorsement for our union, our member-led political action committee wants you to help them pick questions the candidates should answer.
 

Take this quick survey and tell us what issues motivate you as a voter. What do you want to know about the candidates' stance on those issues? Share up to three questions you think gubernatorial candidates seeking our endorsement should answer.

After we collect your responses, we'll ask for your help again to narrow the list to the issues you care about most. This second phase will likely take place the week of April 30. Stay tuned! 

Together,






Denise Specht, President
Denise.Specht@edmn.org
Twitter: @Denise Specht
Facebook: Denise Specht
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Important Dates
April 20
National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools. Together with the Network for Public Education, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence and other national organizations, we are calling on communities to take action against gun violence on April 20. Contact your district to see how you can work with administration to support this effort.
April 27-28
Education Minnesota Representative Convention, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington -- Minneapolis South