The National Staff Organization (NSO), along with union members and allies across the country, stands in solidarity with the Indiana Professional Staff Organization (IPSO)—the union representing professional staff at the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA).

IPSO members are the professionals who support educators every day. They help negotiate contracts, represent members, resolve workplace issues, and strengthen local unions across Indiana. Their work is essential to the success of ISTA and the educators it serves.

Recently, ISTA management moved to terminate the elected President and Vice President of IPSO.

This action raises serious concerns about retaliation, transparency, and respect for collective bargaining rights.

When union leaders are terminated, it creates a chilling effect—sending a message to workers that speaking up or exercising their rights may come at a cost. That is not consistent with the values of unionism.

Unions exist to protect workers’ voices, not silence them.

As a union employer, ISTA has a responsibility to uphold the same standards it demands from school districts and other employers: fairness, respect, and good-faith engagement with its employees and their union.

This moment goes beyond Indiana. It speaks to the integrity of our movement as a whole.

We stand with IPSO. We stand for union values. And we call on ISTA to do the same. Bring them back.