SCRANTON — An Abington Heights School District teacher claims his civil rights are being violated due to a teachers union's threat to collect hundreds of dollars in dues despite his resignation from the union.
David Perrotti filed a complaint June 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Pennsylvania State Education Association and the Abington Heights Education Association alleging violation of the First and Fourteenth amendments to the United States Constitution.
Perrotti, a public school teacher, alleges in his complaint that he has faced threats from the defendants to collect "hundreds of dollars" of union dues/fees despite his resigning from the union in November of 2020.
He specifically alleges that his employer, the Abington Heights School District, had a contract with the union that required non-union members to pay "fair share fees" but that the enrollment he signed in 2004 does not require him to "pay an amount equal to full dues."
Perrotti claims he received a collection letter in August of 2020, stating he owed the defendants $722.40 and required payment by Aug. 31, 2021. He further claims the defendants continue to "assert entitlement" to union dues/fees that were not authorized under his enrollment form or any other contract agreement.
Perrotti alleges his civil rights have been violated due to the defendants' threat to collect dues "or fees seized from him and by threatening to force him to associate and give financial support" as a condition of employment.
Perrotti seeks monetary and injunctive relief and all other proper relief. He is represented by Danielle Susanj and Nathan McGrath of The Fairness Center in Harrisburg.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case number 1:21-CV-01132-SHR