WEAC Local Associations Win Big in Recertification Elections

Recertification elections ended on November 27 for educators whose local unions chose to recertify with the school district, and the results were overwhelmingly successful.

Statewide, 98.7 percent of the local associations vying for recertification prevailed in their elections. With 76.3 percent of the eligible voters in those school districts participating in the elections, 99.1 percent voted to recertify the union.

WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen thanked all colleagues who organized and voted in the November 7-27 recertification elections.

“For local associations that recertify, the union is up for a vote every year, and every year the union wins by crushing margins,” Wirtz-Olsen said. “And the results get stronger year to year. These voting totals illustrate, with undeniable proof, that educators support the union and value the outcomes that the union produces.”

Recertification designates the local association as the sole legal bargaining agent for all employees in the bargaining unit vying for recertification. This requires the employer to bargain in good faith with the union annually over cost of living pay increases and reinforces union members’ right to union representation.

Where local union leaders decide to do so, bargaining unit members must vote every year to recertify their association. To win the vote, in elections overseen by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, 51 percent of all eligible voters must vote “yes” that they want their local association to be their representative. Under the law, every non-vote is considered a “no” vote.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.