Is there a way for teachers to just financially support their local union and not Education Minnesota (and NEA and AFT)? Can we go local only?
We are often asked, “Is there a way for teachers to just financially support their local union and not Education Minnesota (and NEA and AFT)? Can we go local only?”
No. Teachers and other school employees cannot choose to only pay dues to their local union. They can, however, opt-out of their union membership and then send donations to their local association if they so choose. This is a great way to recognize and thank your local reps for the work they must do as the bargaining agent for the union. One teacher told me she planned to give her local $50.
How to get a “local only” union. If the majority of employees in a collective bargaining unit want a local union only but do not want to be affiliated with Education Minnesota (and the NEA/AFT) they would need to decertify the union through an election. That is an extensive but do-able process.
We suggest in the meantime that teachers resign from the union and send a donation to the local union if the local is doing a good job; this solves the “free-rider” problem and keeps the money local. We hope that is helpful!