Springfield teachers vote for exclusive representation

Employees of the Springfield R-XII School District got the chance to vote on their preferred type of union representation Tuesday, and the majority chose to have one party negotiate on behalf of district employees.

Of the nearly 1,000 votes cast, 58 percent voted for exclusive representation by one union representative in collective bargaining negotiations with the district. Roughly 41 percent voted to have multiple representatives, and 1 percent voted for no representation.

The move to collective bargaining follows a 2007 Missouri Supreme Court ruling, in Independence National Education Association v. Independence School District, which said the Missouri Constitution's statement that "employees shall have the right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing," applies to public employees as well as those in the private sector. That ruling reversed a 60-year state precedent.

The Springfield vote does not select which union will represent the employees; that choice will come in a separate election to be held soon.

The Springfield National Education Association campaigned for exclusive representation, while the Missouri State Teachers Association encouraged multiple representatives.[[In-content Ad]]