To opt out of AFT – Oklahoma dues:
- Enter your information into the form below and click “submit.”
- On the resulting page, click the link to open your customized form. You will also receive an email with a link to your form.
- Print the form. If you check the appropriate box about needing a printed version, we’ll mail you a copy of the form.
- Sign and date the form.
- Mail the completed form to the address at the top of the form. We highly recommend sending it via certified mail.
The American Federation of Teachers of Oklahoma (AFT Oklahoma) is the designated union for approximately 2,500 teachers and other public school employees in Oklahoma.
For years, public employees in many states have been forced to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment, allowing unions to take their members for granted. However, because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Janus v. AFSCME, public employees can no longer be required to financially support a labor union against their will.
The court ruled that the mandatory dues requirement violated workers’ First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association, and that public employees have the right to choose for themselves whether to pay any union dues or fees.
You can opt out of AFT Oklahoma dues by filling out the form above, printing it and mailing it to the union.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should receive some acknowledgement of your request from the union within a few weeks.
In most cases, union dues are automatically deducted from employees’ paychecks. Monitor your paychecks to make sure the dues deductions stop. If the deductions continue for more than a couple pay periods after submitting your opt-out request, contact the union.
Finally, keep in mind:
Opting out is your constitutional right. However, unions like AFT – Oklahoma sometimes place restrictions on when they will accept opt-out requests. If the union refuses to immediately cancel dues deductions from your pay, ask them to provide you with written documentation and contact us for assistance.
According to its membership form, AFT 2039 charges $692 per year in dues.
Yes. AFT – Oklahoma has arranged to be the “exclusive representative” of its bargaining units, meaning it is impossible for workers to get out of the terms of the contract, even if they cease paying dues.
In exchange for the monopoly on this particular service, AFT – Oklahoma is legally obligated to represent all employees in the workplace, including those who choose not to join the union as members.
The collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union and your employer will continue to set the terms and conditions of your employment and the union will continue to represent you in grievances, contract enforcement, discipline assistance or other proceedings governed by the collective bargaining agreement.
No. Under state law, a union contract is binding on all employees in a bargaining unit, regardless of whether they are technically union “members.” Your compensation, health benefits, retirement, and anything else governed by the collective bargaining agreement will remain unchanged if you opt out of AFT – Oklahoma.
People have many reasons for not wanting to support the union. Some simply do not believe the services the union provides are worth the dues it charges. Others may find the union’s one-size-fits-all agenda does not serve them well because they are new to the profession, have a specialty that is not acknowledged in bargaining, or they believe their effectiveness is undercompensated. Some resent the union’s role in enabling and defending underperforming employees. Many find the union’s political activity and use of dues to advance partisan causes, candidates and ideology distasteful. Still others believe that union officials are corrupt and unaccountable to their membership.
Unions representing public employees are not governed by the usual consumer protection or anti-trust laws, so abuses are common. Unions can charge whatever they wish. They can spend dues money on anything they want. Often, they do not have to disclose how dues money is spent to members. They can speak for employees without consulting or informing them. They can injure some members’ interests while advancing the interests of others. Unions even have the ability to prevent employees from getting help in their workplace from other sources. They are not governed by any obligation to provide quality service, and almost never have to seek approval of the people they represent in an election to continue as the exclusive representative.
Sometimes people have a faith-based objection to unions’ expenditures. To learn more about some of the major public unions’ expenditures in light of common faith beliefs, click here.
AFT Local 2309
AFT 2309 collected $753,000 in dues and fees from its members in fiscal year 2019, according to reports the union must file with the IRS.
In that year alone:
- $344,000 went to affiliate organizations, including the AFT headquarters in Washington, D.C., to support its massive political, economic and social agenda. AFT regularly supports a host of controversial organizations.
- $18,500 was spent by AFT 2309 on legal fees.
AFT 2309 paid eight employees in calendar year 2018. Union president Ed Allen received $80,100.
Also, as of mid-2019, AFT 2309 has accumulated a stockpile of $194,000 in cash, savings and temporary cash investments.
AFT 2309’s most recent IRS 990 reports are available here: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.
A portion of the dues paid by AFT 2309 members goes to support AFT Oklahoma.
AFT Oklahoma
AFT Oklahoma collected $85,000 in dues and fees from its members in fiscal year 2020, according to reports it files with the U.S. Dept. of Labor. Of that money, $8,600 went to affiliate organizations, including the AFT headquarters in Washington, D.C.
AFT Oklahoma paid two officers in fiscal year 2020. Union president Mary Best was paid $19,200.
AFT Oklahoma’s most recent LM-3 reports are available here: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.
Lastly, a portion of the dues paid by AFT 2309 members goes to support the AFT national headquarters.
American Federation of Teachers
AFT collected $186 million from its members in fiscal year 2020.
- $31.3 million was spent by AFT on divisive political candidates, causes and lobbying. This includes a $150,000 contribution to Emily’s List, an organization whose mission is to put Democratic, pro-abortion women into elected offices.
- $8.5 million was paid or contributed to various organizations, many of which are ideologically driven.
- $5.6 million was spent on airfare, hotels and travel. This includes $197,000 spent on a conference at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. AFT also paid $85,000 for limousine and luxury chauffeuring services.
- $9.7 million was spent on private attorneys and consultants.
- $84,000 was spent on food and catering.
AFT paid 374 officers and employees in 2020, 235 of whom were paid six figures. AFT president Rhonda Weingarten received $453,000.
AFT’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.