The WERC voting period for recertification of K-12 locals ended on November 24. Region 3 had 32 locals that opted to file for recertification. Of those, 31 were successful, while one district fell 13 votes short of the 51% needed to recertify. Also, props to the Appleton Para's who successfully voted to certify with nearly 60% of the vote. Here are a few cumulative stats regarding the elections in the 32 locals that went through the recertification process:

Those numbers paint a meaningful picture. The fact that 74% of members and potential members voted, and that 99% of those voted for representation, is a very strong indicator that the staff in those locals see importance of the local association, Region 3, and representation. The big lift is to get those non-members who voted yes to join and add their voice and strengthen the locals ability to effectively demand meaningful changes.

An important reminder – if a local failed to recertify or a local opted not to certify, the lack of certification with the WERC only means the local cannot demand to “negotiate” the annual total base wage increase. Those locals still have the right to request to meet and confer with the district over wages, benefits, and working conditions. Not being certified with the WERC does NOT affect anything regarding individual membership or the local’s status with WEAC and Region 3. Members of non-certified locals still receive all of the benefits of membership. Non-certified locals are still affiliated with NEA/WEAC/Region3. The leadership of Region 3 has always taken the position that whether to certify/recertify is totally a local decision, often based on the local’s relationship (or lack thereof) with the district. Locals that are not certified may petition to do so at any time (but talk to your WR3 Director, as there are better times of the year to file). Whereas, if a local failed to recertify, they must wait at least one year from the date of the Certification of Results of Election before it can petition to be certified once again.