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UTLA is making sure no deadbeats hold leadership positions in the teachers union.

While it seems like common sense — if you want to run for a union office, make sure your dues are up-to-date — some candidates might not have gotten the message.

The teachers union’s board of directors discovered in December that a number of candidates — union officials wouldn’t say who or how many — had fallen behind on their dues and were not in good standing.

To remedy the problem, the board voted to set aside the initial nomination process and to start it anew. Candidates were given until Jan. 3 to catch up on outstanding membership dues, and the deadline for nomination submissions was extended to Jan. 17.

It’s unclear what, if any, impact this will have on the election campaign for UTLA president. At last count there were eight challengers to the incumbent, Warren Fletcher, and dozens of people are running for other positions.

Elections for president and all other offices, including the UTLA Board of Directors, will be conducted in March. All candidates run as individuals, and any who surpasses 50 percent of the vote is the winner. Short of that, the top two finishers contend in a runoff.

Previous Posts: Fletcher is facing 8 in reelection bid for LA teacher union presidency; Teachers Union Presidents says a Strike could help win pay raises.