Nevada Union Safeguards School Funding
Nevada educators succeeded in keeping public money in public schools—one of NEA’s top priorities. The state’s educators stopped a $1.6 billion payout to the entertainment industry with tax dollars siphoned from schools.
The credit, dubbed the “Hollywood tax credit,” was earmarked for the construction of a film studio in Las Vegas.
Thanks to strong organizing efforts by the Nevada State Education Association, Reno’s Washoe Education Association, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and other allies, the state legislature rejected the unsound proposal and protected funding for students, educators, and long-term stability in Nevada.
NEA Joins Lawsuit to Stop Immigration Raids at Schools
NEA joined a federal lawsuit to restore protections for sensitive locations that, for decades, kept U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents away from schools, churches, and hospitals. Last year, the Trump administration rescinded these protections.
This lawsuit puts students’ well-being first, pushes back against fear and disruption in schools, and reaffirms educators’ commitment to defending students’ right to learn—no matter their immigration status. The lawsuit was still pending at press time.
Educators Shield Schools from ICE
After the Trump administration removed protections from immigration raids on school grounds, locals of the Washington Education Association stepped up!
Local unions, like Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, and Highline, won clear contract language and protocols that protect educators and families from interference by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). New protections include the right to refuse interaction with ICE while on school grounds and the right to withhold student, family, or employee personal information from ICE.
Minnesota educators modeled similar solidarity during ICE operations this winter. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, union members organized safety patrols, trained volunteers, and delivered groceries to families who were too afraid to leave home.
NEA’s sample contract language can help you protect immigrant students in your school. Go to nea.org/SupportImmigrants.
NEA Higher Ed Is Surging!
The newly formed New Mexico State University (NMSU)-NEA union has been recognized by the state labor board as the official bargaining representative for hundreds of faculty across the NMSU system! The university’s faculty are part of a nationwide surge in higher education employees joining unions.
Before NMSU unionized, 63 percent of faculty across New Mexico were unionized. Now, it’s up to 85 percent!
Pennsylvania student teachers will now get paid, thanks to the advocacy efforts of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), which includes Student PSEA members. More than 3,000 future teachers will now earn up to $15,000 during their student teaching semester.
