"The New Jersey Education
Association spends about 15
to 20 percent of its nearly 200,000 members’ dues on political activities, such
as campaign donations and lobbying," Jedynak wrote in the
letter to the Daily Record. "But while union leadership may support
the causes and politicians these donations benefit, not all members may agree.
This violates the First Amendment, which protects the free speech and free
association of everyone, union member or not."
"Have you ever looked at your
union dues and thought it was a lot of money? Do you wonder what you get for
that amount? Are you uncomfortable supporting certain political ideologies that
your union supports? You may live in New Jersey, but you still have options to
reduce the costs associated with union membership and be freed from supporting
the union political agenda," Jedynak wrote in the letter sent to teachers.
That letter also outlines how teachers can opt out of the payments, stating that annual NJEA membership fees amount to $840.
Link to article from
August 2016:
This post is not anti-teacher in any way. Teachers should know how much
of their paycheck goes towards union dues and how that money is spent.
When I was paying union dues, I did not approve of the
lavish living of the union big wigs.
I didn’t approve of all the money going towards
political candidates I didn’t support.
I didn’t approve of all the money going towards causes
that had nothing to do with education.
There is a lot of discussion about employees bringing
home less today than years ago. Unions
should acknowledge this and take less from it's members.
