A significant legal battle is unfolding in Los Angeles involving the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union. A group of Jewish teachers, supported by the Freedom Foundation, is challenging the union’s status as their exclusive representative. This case raises serious concerns about workplace discrimination and the direction of the union, which many believe has strayed from its original mission.
For over two decades, Barry Blisten, an educator in the Los Angeles Unified School District, was an active member of UTLA. He valued the union’s role in advocating for teachers’ rights and welfare. However, in January 2022, he made the tough choice to leave the union he once supported. Blisten claims that the UTLA has shifted from focusing on teacher welfare to promoting divisive political agendas, particularly after a group called Union Power took control of its leadership around six years ago.
Blisten points to several troubling changes within the union. The monthly newspaper that once provided transparency has stopped publication. The union has endorsed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, which many view as anti-Semitic. Jewish teachers have reported being removed from online meetings for questioning these new stances. Blisten highlights an incident during a union meeting where the president labeled the Museum of Tolerance, a Holocaust museum, as the union’s "enemy," while others shouted anti-Israel slogans.
The growing hostility towards Jewish members is alarming, according to Blisten. He argues that this situation reflects a broader issue within the union, where the focus has shifted away from protecting teachers to fostering a toxic environment. He cites the existence of a "Teachers in Trouble" room at the LAUSD headquarters, where teachers under investigation often receive little support from the union.
Blisten also criticizes the union’s leadership for stoking racial tensions and for maintaining databases of parents who oppose their agenda. Despite collecting substantial dues from its members—about $120 each month from 30,000 teachers—Blisten claims that UTLA often fails to provide adequate support when teachers face workplace challenges.
The ongoing legal case aims to hold UTLA accountable for what Blisten describes as systemic failures and discriminatory practices. While opting out of the union provides some relief for dissenting members, they still face challenges under labor law, as the union remains their exclusive bargaining representative.
Blisten believes that teachers’ unions should unite educators and advocate for better working conditions rather than propagate divisive politics. He hopes this legal challenge will prompt a reevaluation of UTLA’s leadership and its commitment to supporting all educators, regardless of their background.
As the case moves forward, it represents a crucial moment for the union and its members. Many are watching closely, hoping for a resolution that honors the true mission of teachers’ unions: protecting and supporting all educators and their students.