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Teachers association sues state over payroll dues prohibition

Published by the Tennessee Lookout, Reporter Sam Stockard – June 13, 2023

📷: Warner Elementary School in Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo)

The Tennessee Education Association sued the state Tuesday claiming a new ban on automatic payroll dues deduction to professional organizations is unconstitutional and singles out teachers among public employees.

Filed in Davidson County Chancery Court on behalf of association members and local education groups, the lawsuit names Gov. Bill Lee’s administration and the Department of Education as defendants and seeks a restraining order and temporary and permanent injunctions.

The Republican-controlled Legislature adopted the ban on automatic deductions to teacher organizations as part of a bill to raise the minimum pay for teachers this year. The law takes effect July 1.

Lawmakers considered separating the two provisions but ultimately kept them in the same legislation, making educators the only public employees statewide prohibited from using voluntary payroll deduction for professional associations.

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