Frequently Asked Questions
EASL 3616 is a labor union and professional organization whose purpose is to advocate for education employees and the best public schools in St. Lucie County.
Common questions
Do I have to join EASL 3616?
Florida is a “Right to Work” state, which means you are not required to join the union. EASL 3616 negotiates compensation, benefits, and working conditions through the collective bargaining agreement, and those negotiated terms apply to all employees in the bargaining unit.
However, contract enforcement, representation in disciplinary or employment matters, individual advocacy, and access to union-provided benefits and services are available only to members.
Joining is not required — but membership is what ensures you have support, representation, and a meaningful voice in decisions that affect your work and your workplace.
What is EASL 3616?
EASL 3616 is the exclusive bargaining agent for teachers and paraprofessionals in St. Lucie County. We negotiate salary, benefits, and working conditions, and we represent and advocate for members in enforcement and contract-related matters.
Is EASL 3616 a political organization?
No union dues are used to support political causes or candidates. However, educational policies and funding are entwined with politics at a local, state, and national level.
We have a separate political action committee (PAC) called TIGER/COPE (Total Involvement in Government and Education Reform / Committee on Political Education) that helps us advocate for educational issues on the local through national levels. You can contribute to this organization through payroll deduction even if you don’t become a member of EASL.
What other organizations are affiliated with EASL 3616?
We are affiliated with the Florida Education Association (FEA) in Tallahassee, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the National Education Association (NEA), as well as the AFL-CIO state and national organizations.
We are one of only a few state organizations that is merged with both the AFT and NEA. This means we have a statewide organization of over 120,000 members, which gives our members the benefits and resources of two national organizations.
What other benefits does the union offer?
Because we are affiliated with state and national unions, our members become part of a massive network of education professionals and other union members. There are many discounts, special offers, and exclusive training opportunities available for members only.
When you become a member, you will receive professional journals, invitations to attend training through the Education, Research, and Dissemination program, and a membership card that entitles you to discounted rates on everything from movie tickets to car insurance and dry cleaning.
What is collaborative bargaining?
We use a process called Interest-Based Collaborative Bargaining in St. Lucie County to solve problems and negotiate the best pay and working conditions for our members. It affords the union the opportunity to participate in almost every level of decision-making throughout the district.
The collaborative relationship, as opposed to a more adversarial one, has proven successful in St. Lucie County. Our first priority is always to advocate for our members, and we work professionally with administration when it advances public education and protects our members.