Teachers: Explore alternatives to expensive union dues!

How do you figure out alternatives and navigate your options? We break it down here!

Teachers know your options for union membership

Step 1. Know your rights

Professional association or union membership is an important decision. You are entitled to make the decision about association membership for yourself with accurate information and without fear of reprisal by a union or employer.

The restoration of this right to all public educators in Janus v. AFSCME (2018) has led to some confusion, misinterpretation, and misinformation about teacher rights. Here are yours:

Teachers Rights post-Janus

In a nutshell, whether or not you choose teacher union membership is your decision and will not impact the benefits your employer provides.

Step 2. Know your options

You no longer have to be a member or pay fees to the teachers union, so it is important to know your other options when it comes to important benefits like liability insurance, job protection, and other forms of support you need to do your job! The teachers union is not your only option AND alternative education associations can often provide the same, if not better coverage, at a lower price.

California teachers, education staff, and administrators have several alternatives available to them including the following:

Association of American Educators

The Association of American Educators (AAE) is a national professional association open to all teachers, education staff, and administrators. Membership is $16.50/month and open in all fifty states. Professional membership includes a $2,000,000 liability insurance policy, as well as protection against lawsuits, employment rights coverage, professional resources, newsletters, advocacy surveys, discounts, and more.

Christian Educators Association International

Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) is a national professional association serving Christian educators since 1953. Professional membership ($22.41/month) includes a $2,000,000 liability insurance policy, as well as employment rights coverage, professional resources, and more. CEAI specializes in empowering and defending Christian educators.

Step 3. Decide which membership best fits your needs

Thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision that restored freedom of choice to all teachers, we are now free to decide whether we want to be part of the union, part of another education association, or opt out of any membership together. If you are mostly interested in protection and professional benefits, alternative associations can offer similar, often better, options at a lower price. The Association of American Educators provides the following for only $16.50 a month:

AAE membership benefits for California teachers

What is important is that you choose the option that works best for you!

If you’re considering alternatives, it may seem like you’re the only one of your colleagues contemplating leaving the teachers union. You should know that you are not alone! Many educators have decided for many reasons that membership with a non-union association is a better fit.

top 5 reasons teachers leave their union

top 5 reasons teachers join alternative associations

See some of the top reasons teachers chose to leave their union and join a non-union association.

If you decide that leaving your union is the right decision for you, we’re here to help walk you through the process.