It depends whether you are in a right-to-work state or not. Right-to-work states typically prevent the need for teachers to be in unions. If you are not in a right-to-work state, unions are the way to ensure protection as a teacher (or any other occupation). The exceptions come regarding federal employees, I believe. Below I have provided the link to a site which shows which states are right-to-work. I do not think it is by law that someone could be fired in a right-to-work state for joining a union, however, their contract may allow it. The site I provided offers free legal advice for those who feel they have been unjustly/illegally treated.

First – I don’t think the NEA is technically a “union”, but a teacher’s advocacy group or professional organization that also uses collective bargaining.

I thought unions negotiate contracts with a business, and people must join the union to work in that business (unless it is a right-to-work state). The contract is between the union and the company.

The NEA is an advocacy group for teachers that will negotiate on behalf of the teachers (collective bargaining), but the contract isn’t with the union itself. Teachers do not have to join the NEA, or any other teacher’s group in any state that I know of. It is usually a choice. Some schools put more pressure on teachers to join than others, but it is always a choice.

The main advantage to joining, besides supporting the group working to improve your working environment and compensation – is the support you get for legal issues.

I would venture to say that joining a teacher’s group – at least in the US – was not the reason for dismissal. There is more to the story.

Good Luck

Your strangely worded question is difficult to understand. If you are working in a private/parochial/charter school and there is no teachers union covering you, most school districts can fire you and give other reasons than wanting to join or start up a union. It would be hard to prove. If you teach in the public schools and you have a union like NEA or AFT, they can protect you from being fired (unless you were coerced into resigning).

There is no law or contractual requirement that states that a teacher must join a union. It is only for the teacher’s benefit if they do. But it’s optional.

it is illegal to fire a teacher for joining a union – and their union out to be taking up their cases for themselves

any employer that attempts to bar employees from being part of a union – be extremely wary of beginning employment with as they usually have the worst record of how they treat their slaves,,,,,er i mean employees

absolutely not! it’s a teacher’s choice and his/her decision to join a union should not affect employment status…

that’s a lawsuit waiting to happen!

That’s illegal in the US but I don’t know where you are.