SB 1296 is about accountability — not anti-unionism

When Kelley LaBedz, a retired Martin County teacher with eight years in the classroom, asked to see the financial records of the union that collected her dues, she expected basic transparency. What she received was retaliation.

Not only did the Martin County Education Association (MCEA) bluntly deny her request, but its president, Karen Resciniti, expelled her from the union without due process — abridging LaBedz’s constitutional right to collectively bargain.

And just for good measure, the move also violated the union’s own constitution and bylaws.

The Florida Education Association (FEA), MCEA’s statewide parent organization, was heavily involved from the beginning. Service Unit Director Gary Simmons personally rejected LaBedz’s records request, claiming in writing that the request was “invalid” and would therefore be rejected.

In response, Florida’s Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) has rightfully ruled this was an unfair labor practice, ordering the union to reimburse LaBedz for her attorney fees and all litigation costs.

It is a satisfying moment of accountability for a teacher who spent her career in public service, which, unfortunately, is a rarity today.

Kelley’s story serves as Exhibit A for why Florida lawmakers felt compelled to pass SB 1296, and why Gov. Ron DeSantis should sign it without delay.

LaBedz, a few months earlier, explained, “The reason teachers in Martin County don’t have a contract is the president of our union held it up for everyone for his personal gain.”

Think about that for a moment. Legislators had already appropriated money for teacher raises. The district was ready to negotiate. But because the local union president refused to sign unless he received a full teacher’s salary and benefits package for doing zero classroom work, an entire school year passed with no agreement.

Teachers showed up every day, taught their students, and went home without the pay increase they had earned. When LaBedz pressed for answers and asked to see the books, the union’s response was to shut her out.

This is the dark underbelly of public unions like the NEA and AFT. Once a union is certified as the sole bargaining agent, often based on minimal voter turnout, it holds monopoly power over every employee in the unit, whether or not those employees support the union.

Teachers cannot negotiate directly with their district. They cannot opt for a different representative. They are essentially held hostage by the union’s whims.

Union leaders can use their advantageous position to impose personal grievances and demands on an entire district and its taxpayers, knowing they can cause disruption if denied.

The problem is not anecdotal; it is structural. Public unions in Florida have operated for years with minimal oversight and maximum insulation. They collect dues from workers paid by taxpayers, yet resist basic transparency measures any reasonable organization should welcome.

The PERC ruling shows what happens when someone pushes back — the union is forced to open its books and cover the member’s legal costs after it tried to silence them.

Critics of SB 1296 will no doubt raise concerns, but most will miss the point. This is not an anti-union coalition.

LaBedz herself is not anti-union. She is a member who was punished for exercising her rights.

This is a coalition demanding accountability.

True collective bargaining requires accountability. It requires representatives who serve the people who pay them. SB 1296 simply requires unions to prove they still have majority support from those they represent.

If they are doing their job well, they should have no problem meeting that standard. It is a modest, democratic safeguard that puts workers first.

However, union leaders know their support often comes from an overrepresented subset of activists engaged in union elections.

The bill reaches DeSantis at the right moment. It builds on earlier reforms, including the 2023 recertification requirements, and reflects growing recognition that public-sector unions must operate with the same openness expected of taxpayer-funded institutions.

LaBedz’s testimony puts a human face on the issue. Her victory shows accountability is possible. For too long, Florida has assumed unions police themselves.

The LaBedz case proves they do not. Teachers deserve fair contracts. Students deserve stability. Taxpayers deserve transparency.

SB 1296 delivers on all three.

DeSantis should sign the bill promptly. Kelley LaBedz has already done the hard part. The state should finish the job and ensure no teacher faces the same fight again.

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Nilesh Umapathy is a Special Projects Associate for the Freedom Foundation.