The Union's Answer to Tough Questions: Get Out

MARTIN COUNTY, Florida, May 27, 2026 — Kelley LaBedz was not a typical teachers' union member. As a licensed attorney, she brought a trained legal eye to everything—including her local union's finances.

After moving to Martin County, Florida and choosing a new profession as a teacher, LaBedz became active in the local Florida Education Association (FEA)-affiliated union. Once elected to its executive board, it didn't take long for her to notice financial allotments that raised serious questions.

The initial response to her concerns?

Silence.

She pushed forward, requesting the union's constitution, bylaws, and financial records—documents Florida law entitles members to access. 

The local union refused to provide them. 

Next, she escalated her request to the FEA and got the same runaround. Worse, LaBedz was being ostracized by the very organization that was supposed to support her.

Not one to back down, she ran for local union president. During the election, leadership shifted voting from paper to online ballots with little notice and changed election dates without informing all members. 

She received a letter stating her request for information had been denied. Without notice and without due process, the union had terminated her membership—then declared her request invalid on the grounds that she was no longer a member.

That's when she reached out to CIE.

What followed was a landmark ruling that set a new due process standard for public-sector unions across Florida. The union has chosen to appeal rather than accept accountability.

LaBedz's case is a clear example of union bullying. We are grateful for her boldness and persistence, and continue to stand with her in her fight against the Martin County teachers' union.  

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The Center for Independent Employees (CIE) is a 501(c)(3) legal defense foundation that provides legal representation and assistance to independent employees who are opposed to union oppression in their workplaces.