If you have been thinking about leaving your Delaware teachers union or find that they are no longer representing your views, there is good news.

The Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME on June 27, 2018 means teachers nationwide are no longer required to be part of a teachers union in order to keep their jobs. You can stay a member if you’d like, but you are also now free to cancel your union membership and stop paying dues.

What You Need to Know About Delaware Teachers’ Rights & Options

Deciding to leave your teachers union 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 association would betray or offend your colleagues. You are not alone.

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. 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 opt out of your Delaware teachers union, you will NOT lose your teaching contract, seniority, or other benefits.

You may be concerned that leaving the teachers union means you will lose your teaching contract, seniority, tenure, or job protection. That is not the case.

  • Any current teaching contract you have still stands, whether you’re a member of the teacher’s union 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.

See your rights as a Delaware educator.

There are affordable alternatives for liability insurance, job protection, and other resources.

The teachers union 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 leave your Delaware teachers union and stop paying dues.

If you have decided to opt out of your Delaware teachers union, the process should be straightforward.

  1. Fill out the form on the right to customize the standard opt out letter. Note that filling out the form does not automatically send the letter. Continue on to steps 2-4.
  2. Download or email yourself a copy.
  3. Print and sign two copies of the letter.
  4. Send the signed the letters via U.S. mail to Delaware State Education Association and your employer by August 31. The address for DSEA is 135 E. Water St., Dover, DE 19901.

Not quite ready? Sign up to receive more information about educators’ rights and reminders when your union opt out window is coming up.

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 opt out of your Delaware teachers union, you will not lose your teaching contract, seniority, or other benefits.

You may be concerned that leaving the teachers union means you will lose your teaching contract, seniority, tenure, or job protection. That is not the case.

  • Any current teaching contract you have still stands, whether you’re a member of the teacher’s union 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.

See your rights as a Pennsylvania educator.

There are affordable alternatives for liability insurance, job protection, and other resources.

The teachers union 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 leave your Delaware teachers union and stop paying dues.

If you have decided to opt out of your Pennsylvania teachers union, the process should be straightforward.

  1. Fill out the form on the right to customize the standard opt out letter. Note that filling out the form does not automatically send the letter. Continue on to steps 2-4.
  2. Download or email yourself a copy.
  3. Print and sign two copies of the letter.
  4. Send the signed the letters via U.S. mail to Delaware State Education Association and your employer by August 31. The address for DSEA is 135 E. Water St., Dover, DE 19901.

Not quite ready? Sign up to receive more information about educators’ rights and reminders when your union opt out window is coming up.

START NOW!

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS

Explore the process for your district and create a sample opt out letter.

Use these fields if your union is not listed in the drop-down menu above:


Prefer to explore opt-out process without entering information?

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 the teachers union and your 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.

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 the teachers union and your 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.