The MEA's Mob Mentality: If We All Strike, You Probably Won't Be Fired

The Michigan Education Association is asking its members to authorize “crisis activities” that could result in a “statewide work stoppage.” Michigan Capitol Confidential broke this story last Wednesday.

Since government employees are forbidden by law to strike and can be fired for doing so, school employees participating in a strike would be risking their livelihoods.

Addressing this concern, the MEA responds:

It is simply not possible to replace all or most school employees in the state. A public school employee has the right to an individual hearing at which it must be proved that the employee engaged in an illegal strike. The employee has the right to appeal that determination through the Michigan courts. It is, to say the least, a time-consuming and expensive process for school districts. … Because there is strength in numbers, a unified action provides the greatest protection to you.

Forget about looking out for the best interests of students (which the MEA falsely claims to do), this stance by the MEA doesn't even look out for the best interests of its own dues-paying members. Even so, one local teachers union already voted to authorize the MEA to consider a statewide strike, and, as many remember from their teenage years, peer pressure can be a powerful persuader.

Permission to reprint this blog post in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author (or authors) and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy are properly cited.