Are you thinking about canceling your HSTA membership? There's good news.
The Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME means teachers do not have to be part of a teachers union or association in order to keep their jobs. You can stay a member if you’d like or you cancel your Hawaii State Teachers Association membership and stop paying dues.
What You Need to Know About Hawaii Teachers’ Rights & Options
Deciding to cancel HSTA membership is not an easy decision.
Even if you disagree with their political involvement or feel like you’re not being supported, you may feel like leaving the Hawaii State Teachers Association would make you a bad colleague. Many teachers have been guilted, coerced, even bullied into staying with their union, even when it is not in the best interest of their students, or even their school.
You are not alone. Thousands of teachers have chosen to leave their teachers union. Sharon, an educator and former union representative, shares her story.
Just remember – the Supreme Court gave you the freedom to decide what is in your best interest, and in the best interest of your students and colleagues. Whatever you decide is the right decision!
If you cancel your HSTA membership, you will NOT lose your teaching contract, seniority, or other benefits.
You may be concerned that cancelling Hawaii State Teachers Association membership means you will lose your teaching contract, seniority, tenure, or job protection. That is not the case.
Your current teaching contract still stands, whether you’re a HSTA member or not.
Your job, seniority, and tenure are protected by your contract and state and federal law. Additional job protection is also available through non-union education associations.
There are affordable alternatives for liability insurance, job protection, and other resources.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association is not your only source for teacher liability insurance. There are many national and local teacher associations that provide liability insurance, employment rights coverage, and the other forms of support you need to do your job!
How to Cancel HSTA membership
If you have decided to cancel your Hawaii State Teachers Association membership, the process should be straightforward.
Fill out the form on the right and select your state and teachers union. You can choose to download or email yourself a copy of the standard opt out letter.
Personalize the letter with your information.
Send signed copies via U.S. mail to HSTA and your employer before August 31. The address for HSTA is 1200 Ala Kapuna St. Honolulu, HI 96819.
What If You Get Pushback or Are Told You Missed the Opt Out Window?
Some teachers unions limit their members to a limited period of time where they can resign from their union membership. If you send your opt out letter to your teachers union and employer and are told you have to wait, you can ask them to keep it on file for that window, or get help opting out sooner.
Some experts believe that the Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME means teachers should not be locked into a membership they were forced to have as a condition of employment and are free to opt out any time. Several organizations are successfully working with teachers to help them resign outside of their union’s opt out window. If you need help, please contact us at info@teacherfreedom.org.
You are not alone. Thousands of teachers have chosen to leave their teachers union. Sharon, an educator and former union representative, shares her story.
Just remember – the Supreme Court gave you the freedom to decide what is in your best interest, and in the best interest of your students and colleagues. Whatever you decide is the right decision!
If you cancel your HSTA membership, you will NOT lose your teaching contract, seniority, or other benefits.
You may be concerned that cancelling Hawaii State Teachers Association membership means you will lose your teaching contract, seniority, tenure, or job protection. That is not the case.
Your current teaching contract still stands, whether you’re a HSTA member or not.
Your job, seniority, and tenure are protected by your contract and state and federal law. Additional job protection is also available through non-union education associations.
There are affordable alternatives for liability insurance, job protection, and other resources.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association is not your only source for teacher liability insurance. There are many national and local teacher associations that provide liability insurance, employment rights coverage, and the other forms of support you need to do your job!
How to Cancel HSTA membership
If you have decided to cancel your Hawaii State Teachers Association membership, the process should be straightforward.
Fill out the form on the right and select your state and teachers union. You can choose to download or email yourself a copy of the standard opt out letter.
Personalize the letter with your information.
Send signed copies via U.S. mail to HSTA and your employer before August 31. The address for HSTA is 1200 Ala Kapuna St. Honolulu, HI 96819.
START NOW!
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS
Explore the process for your district and create a sample opt out letter.
What If You Get Pushback or Are Told You Missed the Opt Out Window?
If you send your employer and the Hawaii State Teachers Union your opt out letter and are told you have to wait to leave your union, you can ask them to keep it on file for that window, or get help opting out sooner.
Some experts believe that the Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME means teachers should not be locked into a membership they were forced to have as a condition of employment and are free to opt out any time. Several organizations are successfully working with teachers to help them resign outside of their union’s opt out window. If you need help, please contact us at info@teacherfreedom.org.
