It’s Day 6: Postmark your letter by today (Saturday)

Educated Teachers recommends that you send your resignation letter, opting-out of the union, via the U.S. mail to Education Minnesota, then follow up with an email. The instructions and help with the letter are here.

And get it in the mail, ideally postmarked today. The 7-day window closes Sunday at midnight but why not have your letter postmarked during the window?

Why are you mailing your letter to Education Minnesota? Because that is the union you belong to, with affiliations at the local and national level. We just think it is a good idea; it covers all your bases. (We put a copy of the union card below so you can read it. You will see the instructions by Educated Teachers for opting-out go well beyond the union card requirements.)

Because the union card says you have to submit your resignation to your employer and the local union, we recommend you email the PDF of your letter to both. That way you are fully covered, and your emails give you a time-stamped receipt.

But if you have not resigned as yet, and want to, today is Saturday. It is a good idea to get your letter in the mail just to avoid arguments.

The union should accept your letter of resignation if you email it anytime this weekend to your employer and local union. But there is no way to predict the union’s response, so we have, as stated above, drafted instructions that go well beyond what they union card says.

Your employer may need some time to get the paperwork processed; be sure to check your paycheck over the next few weeks to confirm that dues are no longer being deducted, and that you have been credited for any dues deducted as of October 1.

Remember, this is your choice. Only you know what is best. If you still have questions, be sure to visit our helpful FAQs. They are based on questions and concerns from teachers all over Minnesota.

As an FYI, here is the union card (with added emphasis):

I agree to submit dues to Education Minnesota and hereby request and voluntarily authorize my employer to deduct from my wages an amount equal to the regular monthly dues uniformly applicable to members of Education Minnesota or monthly service fee, and further that such amount so deducted be sent to such local union for and on my behalf. This authorization shall remain in effect and shall be automatically renewed from year to year, irrespective of my membership in the union, unless I revoke it by submitting written notice to both my employer and the local union during the seven-day period that begins on September 24 and ends on September 30. Such revocation will take effect on October 1 in the year in which I submit the revocation.