Maine Education Association Opt Out Window: What to Know
Are you interested in leaving the teachers union and stopping dues from being deducted from your paycheck?
Here’s what you need to know about canceling your teacher union membership:
- Union membership is not mandatory for teachers.
- Leaving the teachers association will not affect your teaching contract or your tenure.
- Negotiated benefits such as salary and health insurance are not dependent on union membership.
- You are not alone. Thousands of teachers have chosen to leave their teachers union. Hear educators share their stories.
- Other non-union teacher associations can provide liability insurance, legal representation, and other benefits, often at a fraction of the cost.
If you want to leave the MEA, timing matters. The union has said teachers have until September 30 to decide whether or not they want to stay in the union. If you decide to cancel your membership after that date, it could be a lot more challenging to exercise your rights before next year.
How to Cancel Your Maine Education Association Membership
If you have decided to cancel your MEA membership, we can help guide you through the process.
- Fill out the form on the right to personalize the opt out letter template with your information. Note: Filling out the form does not contact the union or automatically cancel your membership. Continue through step 4 to complete the process.
- Download or email yourself a copy of the letter.
- Print and sign the letter.
- Sent the letter via U.S. mail to MEA headquarters, your local affiliate and your employer by September 30. Here is the address for MEA headquarters: 35 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330.
How to Cancel Your AFT Maine Membership
AFT Main does not publicly share a statewide opt-out window. Each local has its own timing, so you must consult with your local chapter’s bylaws to understand opt-out requirements. The address for AFT Main is P.O. Box 2577, Augusta, ME 04338.
What If You Get Pushback or Are Told You Missed the Opt Out Window?
If you send your employer and the Maine Education Association 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.
Are you interested in leaving the Maine Education Association and stopping dues from being deducted from your paycheck?
Here’s what you need to know about canceling your MEA teacher union membership:
- Union membership is not mandatory for teachers.
- Leaving the teachers association will not affect your teaching contract or your tenure.
- Negotiated benefits such as salary and health insurance are not dependent on union membership.
- You are not alone. Thousands of teachers have chosen to leave their teachers union. Hear educators share their stories.
- Other non-union teacher associations can provide liability insurance, legal representation, and other benefits, often at a fraction of the cost.
If you want to leave the MEA, timing matters. The union has said teachers have until September 30 to decide whether or not they want to stay in the union. If you decide to cancel your membership after that date it could be a lot more challenging to exercise your rights before next year.
How to Cancel Your Maine Education Association Membership
If you have decided to cancel your MEA membership, we can help guide you through the process.
- Fill out the form on the right to personalize the opt out letter template with your information. Note: Filling out the form does not contact the union or automatically cancel your membership. Continue through step 4 to complete the process.
- Download or email yourself a copy of the letter.
- Print and sign the letter.
- Sent the letter via U.S. mail to MEA headquarters, your local affiliate and your employer by September 30. Here is the address for MEA headquarters: 35 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 0433
How to Cancel Your AFT Maine Membership
AFT Main does not publicly share a statewide opt-out window. Each local has its own timing, so you must consult with your local chapter’s bylaws to understand opt-out requirements. The address for AFT Main is P.O. Box 2577, Augusta, ME 04338.