Back to school, back to the union?
It’s that time of year again — back to school! As teachers organize school supplies, establish classroom routines, and anticipate what the new school year will bring, it’s also their once-a-year-only opportunity to evaluate the teachers’ union and decide if union membership is right for them.
From now until Sept. 30, Minnesota teachers can exercise their right to opt-out of the union, as financially supporting Education Minnesota and its affiliates is no longer required in order to keep teaching. (Prior to 2018, Minnesota educators and other public employees were required to pay either agency fees as non-union members or dues as members if they wanted to work in the public sector.)
Union membership is a personal decision, and for a variety of reasons, thousands of Minnesota educators across the state have said no thanks to what the union is prioritizing. Just as educators encourage their students to be independent thinkers and hold true to themselves, so too should educators be trusted by their colleagues to make decisions that are best for them and their families.
The right to say “no” to union membership is just as important as the right to say “yes” to it — but educators first need to know they actually do have a choice. And it’s important that respect exists for that choice.
Saying “no thanks” to financially supporting the union is not an attack on teachers or the teaching profession. Rather, it’s an attempt to get the union’s attention and let them know they are missing the mark on what teachers want them to prioritize.
Create your customized opt-out letter here and get the quick, easy steps on mailing it in to Education Minnesota. There are excellent professional educator associations that offer liability insurance, legal protection, employment rights coverage, scholarships, and discounts, to name a few, for the fraction of the cost of union dues and without all the politics.
Fast Facts:
- Salary and benefits are provided by your employer, the school district, and are not impacted by union membership status.
- Your pension is not impacted by union membership status.
- Tenure and seniority are not impacted by union membership status.
- The union is not the only one that offers liability insurance and legal consult.
- Non-members are not “free loaders” or “scabs” — the union fought for and won the right to be the exclusive representative for all employees within the collective bargaining unit.