LARGO, Fla. — It’s called the teachers "bill of rights" — legislation that would change how teachers are certified and disciplined, among other things.

But one Bay area teachers union is speaking out against the bill.

The president of the Pinellas County Teachers Association (PCTA) said the “bill of rights” would actually take away freedom from teachers and could dismantle the union all together, leaving teachers without representation.

Nancy Velardi said the legislation would raise the threshold for unions from 50 percent to 60 percent, meaning 60 percent of available teachers would have to be members in order for the union to keep its certification.

“If they raise it to 60, it will be difficult for us to convince people that if you want your union and you want your contract, you will have to join at least until we hit 60 percent,” she said. “Otherwise, we would be decertified.

The union negotiates all teachers contracts, whether they’re paid members or not, which includes their salary, health care and working conditions. Without a certified union, Velardi said no teachers in the district would have that voice at the bargaining table, and she says parents should be concerned.

“I would not stay in a place where I wasn’t protected,” Velardi said. “I would go if there was somewhere close by that had protection. I would make that change.

“That is my biggest fear, that this is going to seriously worsen our teacher shortage here in Pinellas and I’m very concerned that we’re going to lose good teachers.”

PCTA membership is currently at 54 percent. Velardi said she thinks the bill will pass, so in the meantime, they’re working on increasing membership to hit 60 percent.