MyPayMySay on teacher union dues: 'Many teachers are unaware that a portion of their dues may be allocated toward lobbying'

MyPayMySay, an advocacy group, has raised concerns regarding the allocation of union dues by educators toward political activities and emphasized the need for greater transparency concerning their rights related to such expenditures. This statement was made on its website on March 18.

"The 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME affirmed that public employees have the right to opt out of paying union fees that fund political activities," said MyPayMySay. "Many teachers remain unaware of their ability to decline these fees, highlighting the need for greater transparency and education on the issue."

According to MyPayMySay, teachers' unions have significantly increased their political spending over the years. Contributions rose from $4.3 million in 2004 to over $32 million in 2016, with a strong preference for Democratic candidates. While federal law prohibits using union dues for direct campaign contributions, unions can fund Political Action Committees (PACs) through voluntary donations and use dues for lobbying and issue advocacy. In the period of 2022–2023, the National Education Association (NEA) spent over $50 million on political activities and lobbying, surpassing its expenditures on member representation.

Randi Weingarten leads the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which is the second-largest teachers' union in the United States with 1.7 million members, behind the National Education Association's three million members. In the 2022 election cycle, Weingarten's organization donated over $26 million to Democratic candidates and causes; however, other unions such as Carpenters and Joiners contributed even more. 

MyPayMySay supports educators by offering resources, advocacy, and guidance to address modern classroom challenges. Focused on teacher autonomy and student success, MPMS promotes policies and solutions that help educators make informed choices and foster high-quality learning environments, according to its website.