LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
There is a new twist in the ongoing financial fight between the Clark County School District and the teachers union.
An email obtained by FOX5 shows the Nevada Policy Research Institute (NPRI) as a third party, suggesting teachers quit the union.
"There are certain pieces of content in this email that I find somewhat offensive," said Thomas Kirkpatrick. On Friday, Kirkpatrick was one of 12,000 teachers in the school district that received the email.
"The email went on to talk about the salaries of some people at CCEA. Overall, this was very anti-labor organizing and anti-union," said Kirkpatrick.
NPRI representatives said they are just trying to inform teachers of their options.
"There are alternative educator associations that provide better benefits (and are) much cheaper. We think there a lot of teachers that are outraged over the union executive director making over $600,000 in 2009, the latest year records are available," said Victor Joecks, Communications Director for NPRI.
John Vellardita is the executive director for the Clark County Education Association. He said,"NPRI is trying to encourage teachers to not be part of any kind of representation, let alone a different kind of representation. They want teachers to be at will. The same thing with the school district. That's why the school district has aided and embedded NPRI by allowing them to use their email system."
"Under Nevada's Public Record Law, there is no reason that is not public information. The school district stalled us and stalled us... I will say it did not come from the school district," added Joecks.
Teachers did not waste any time voicing their thoughts on this matter.
"It's not really about going out there and bashing anyone or sending out this pro-union or anti-union message. It's really about educating teachers and they do have options. It gives them the resources to execute their choices," added Catherine Davis, an English teacher.
Union teachers have until July 15 to submit a written letter of discharge to CCEA.
The Clark County School District's IT department is investigating this matter.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
