More Colorado Teachers Opt Out of Union Dues and Politics

By The Gazette Editorial Board | Commentary, The Gazette

When a school district’s union speaks, it’s often billed as the voice of the teachers.

Not so fast.

Out of Colorado’s 179 school districts, fewer than 40 are formally “unionized” through collective-bargaining, or “master” agreements, in which unions negotiate pay, benefits and other matters on behalf of all teachers. Some districts agree to memorandums of understanding similar to collective bargaining.

The majority of districts aren’t unionized at all. Sure, many districts have union affiliates, but they function more like clubs. And many teachers join because they’re led to believe they need the liability policies unions provide. It’s worth noting that comparable policies offered by the Professional Association of Colorado Educators, the Association of American Educators and the Teacher Freedom Alliance are $20 a month or even free. It’s a lot less than the $70 per month for membership dues in unionized Denver, where dues are automatically deducted from teacher pay.

What’s really noteworthy is that even in some of Colorado’s largest school districts, union membership appears to be in decline. In some cases, it’s surprisingly low. 

As The Gazette’s Jimmy Sengenberger pointed out in his column last week, barely 30% of teachers in Jeffco Schools — Colorado’s second-largest district — are members. That’s even as the union claims to speak for all.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE GAZETTE

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.