Should I join my teacher's union?

Question

Should I join my teacher's union even though part of my dues will go towards [insert Democrat]'s campaign?

Answer 1

As an educator, you almost have to join a union, but there are several. The American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association are the two largest, but there are others out there. Find the one that most closely aligns with your political beliefs and join. Those two are not technically labor unions, and can't perform collective bargaining duties, but they do lobby for educators (and unfortunately some other things).

You really need to join because of the legal representation they provide. If you are ever sued they will provide you with legal services.

Answer 2

Yes! The union will protect your job and your rights if you ever were to need them.

My brother in law is in the union with the local teachers union (he's actually a janitor) and the Union has helped him so much over the years. He gets a raise every year. he gets paid for days the school is closed due to bad weather. He can't lose his job if the teachers have a contract dispute.

Yes the benefits of being part of the union are going to outweigh the small contribution to a politicians campaign.

Answer 3

I urge you to suck it up aand join the union. They work together as a collective bargaining unit and it would be nice to be able to be part of that.

I joined the union because I teach science and the union will represent me in case of a law suit for one reason or another. Lets face it, a kid is more likely to get hurt using a burner in chemistry than a pencil in math. The union will also pick up and settlement out of court for an accident in my classroom.

Now we are entering our 2nd year without a contract and are on status quo with our salaries frozen at the rate they were 2 years ago. Who do you think tries to negotiate with the school board and supt. for raises? The union members of course. Without a strong union we would have had to settle for no raises, and dropping our extra-curricular pay scale. Our union members have remained strong and keep fighting for our teachers to get a decent raise.

Yes join you union. Yes get involved in your union. I was not pro-union until I actually joined and found out all that the union does for a teacher.

Answer 4

Yes, my all means you should join a professional organization.

The one thing I would warn you about is assuming that all of the organizations or unions offer the same liability and protection.
They DO NOT. I am a member of one and I checked out others to make sure I have the best protection available.

There are some "unions" or organizations that proclaim to have protection and liability for you that when needed is not availabe. I would want information as to how they have helped others in the past.

Join, but don't jump on the first band wagon that comes along. Investigate to make a wise decision.

Answer 5

Yes, join the union. All of the reasons listed above are correct. You do have the right to have the percentage taken from your dues spent on political contributions refunded. Just contact your union rep in your building or district.

Answer 6

Yes - a teacher's union will help you if you ever receive an unfair evaluation, need assistance with a problem at work or get into legal trouble.

Answer 7

Unions aren t always the best option, considering the high dues you have to pay. There is an organization called National Public Employee Alliance that provides members free professional liability insurance. I like it because they aren t involved with politics and they have way better benefits.