To opt out of BTU 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 Boston Teachers Union (BTU) is the designated union for approximately 10,000 teachers, faculty, professional staff and education support professionals working in the Boston Public Schools.
For years, public employees in Massachusetts have been forced to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment, allowing unions like BTU to take their members for granted. However, because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Janus v. AFSCME (2018), 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 BTU 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 BTU 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.
Dues for full-time educators are currently approximately $1400 per year, while Paras and Substitutes are about $700 per year.
BTU 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.
The collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the union and your employer will continue to set the terms and conditions of your employment, and BTU is legally obligated to enforce the contract on behalf of all employees, including those who choose not to join the union as members.
However, keep in mind:
Although BTU will continue to negotiate and enforce the collective bargaining agreement on your behalf, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a law in 2019 specifying that unions can require non-members to pay for the “reasonable costs and fees” of union representation during grievance and arbitration proceedings.
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 BTU.
While the terms of the contract will still govern your employment, union officials commonly prohibit nonmembers from participating in internal union affairs, such as attending union meetings, voting for union officers or participating in contract ratification votes. You’ll also be ineligible for any special “members only” benefits, such as discounts on additional insurance, scholarship programs, or deals the union has arranged with businesses. You may no longer receive the union newsletter or similar publications.
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.
Boston Teachers Union
BTU collected $9.7 million in dues and fees from its members in fiscal year 2020, according to reports the union must file with the IRS.
In that year alone:
- $3 million went to affiliate organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers to support their massive political, economic and social agendas.
- $564,200 was spent on attorneys and private consultants.
- 264,500 was spent on building repairs
- $30,300 was spent on office expenses
BTU paid at least 22 officers and employees in calendar year 2020, nine of whom were paid six figures. Vice President Erik Berg $218,189.
As of 2020, BTU has accumulated a cash stockpile of $5.7 million.
BTU’s most recent IRS 990 reports are available here: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
A portion of the dues paid by BTU members goes to support the America Federation of Teachers (AFT)
American Federation of Teachers
According to the most recent LM-2 report filed by the union, AFT collected $212 million from its members in fiscal year 2022.
In that same year:
- $35.8 million was spent by AFT on divisive political candidates, causes and lobbying.
- $7.1 million was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
- $3.9 million was spent on airfare, hotels and travel for union staff.
- $10 million was spent on private attorneys and consultants.
- $211,000 was spent on food and catering.
AFT paid 385 officers and employees in 2022, 251 of whom were paid six figures. AFT president Rhonda Weingarten received $487,000.
AFT’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.