State teachers union targets education bill
By Cristina Silva/Miami Herald
As a Democratic bulwark in a state governed by Republicans, Florida's main teachers' union is used to political attacks. But the current fight over Senate Bill 6 threatens its very survival. A veto from Gov. Charlie Crist on the Republican-led effort to dramatically overhaul how teachers are paid and recertified would be heralded as the union's most significant victory in years. Conversely, Crist's signature on the bill would trigger an immediate power shift that would threaten the union's clout. So the Florida Education Association is leading an urgent battle to defeat the legislation. ``When teachers get kicked, they usually rally together,'' said Andy Ford, president of the FEA, one of Tallahassee's most powerful lobbying groups with more than 140,000 members, including teachers, school janitors and bus drivers. (more...)