Opt Out Today

UC – AFT

To opt out of UC-AFT dues: 

  1. Enter your information into the form below and click “submit.” 
  2. On the resulting page, click the link to open your customized form. You will also receive an email with a link to your form. 
  3. Print the form. If you check the appropriate box about needing a printed version, we’ll mail you a copy of the form. 
  4. Sign and date the form. 
  5. Mail the completed form to the address at the top of the form. We highly recommend sending it via certified mail. 

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The University Council – American Federation of Teachers is the designated union for thousands of Non-Senate Faculty (Unit 18) and Librarians (Unit 17) in California, including those employed by K-12 school sites located at UC campuses such as Preuss School UCSD, Lab School UCLA, and Geffen Academy UCLA. 

For years, public employees in California have been forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment, allowing unions to take their members for granted. However, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that public employees can no longer be required to financially support a labor union against their will. (Janus v. AFSCME, 2018). 

“States and public-sector unions may no longer extract [funds] from nonconsenting employees.  . . . This procedure violates the First Amendment and cannot continue.” 

Consequently, public employees may decline to pay these private organizations without losing their jobs or employer-provided benefits. 

It is important to know that UC-AFT may continue to automatically withhold dues from employees’ pay even if they never signed up for membership in the first place. The best way to ensure the deductions stop is to submit a request to the union in writing. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I send my resignation to the union?

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 of pay periods after submitting your opt-out request, contact the union. 

Finally, keep in mind: 

Opting out is your constitutional right. However, unions like UC-AFT 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. 

How much are UC-AFTdues?

UC-AFT dues are 1.5% of gross monthly salary, with a cap of $133 per month, for librarians and non-Senate faculty.

Will the union continue to represent me if I opt out?

Yes. UC-AFT 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, UC-AFT 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. 

Will I lose wages, health care, retirement or other benefits if I opt out?

No. All provisions of the collective bargaining agreement between the union and your employer will continue to govern your employment. Your wages, health benefits, employer-sponsored retirement and anything else governed by the collective bargaining agreement will remain unchanged if you opt out of UC-AFT. 

How will my relationship with the union change if I opt out?

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.

Why do people opt out of the union?

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 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. 

How does the union spend my dues money?

UC-AFT

UC-AFT collected $2,887,837 in dues and fees from its members in 2024, according to 990 reports the union must file with the U.S. Department of Labor.

In fiscal year 2024 alone:

  • $1,667,308 went to the California Federation of Teachers headquarters in Burbank, California, and the American Federation of Teachers headquarters in Washington, DC, to support its massive political, economic, and social agenda. UC-AFT affiliates regularly support a host of controversial organizations.
  • $17,955 was spent on office expenses.
  • $39,452 was spent on airfare, hotels, and travel.
  • $210,843 was spent on compensation of current officers, directors, trustees, and key employees.

 

UC-AFT’s Executive Director, William Quirk, received $115,495 in total compensation.

Additionally, UC-AFT’s net assets or fund balances totaled $1,046,653.

UC-AFT’s most recent 990 reports are available here.

A portion of the dues paid by UC-AFT members goes to support the California Federation of Teachers (CFT).

California Federation of Teachers

CFT collected $18.7 million from its members in the fiscal year 2024, according to LM-2 reports the union is required to file with the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

In 2024 alone:

  • $4.4 million was spent by CFT on political activity and lobbying.
  • $4.3 million was paid or contributed to various organizations, many of which are ideologically driven.
  • $362,382 was spent on airfare, hotels, and travel for union staff.
  • $473,559 was spent on events, conferences, and catering throughout the year.

 

CFT paid 60 officers and employees in 2024, 30 of whom were paid six figures. CFT’s President, Jeffery Freitas, was paid $242,387.

CFT also reported a stockpile of $24.2 million in spare cash assets at the end of 2024.

CFT’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.

Lastly, A portion of the dues paid by UC-AFT members goes to support the American Federation of Teachers.

American Federation of Teachers

According to federal filings that the union is required to submit to the Department of Labor, the Teachers AFL-CIO (AFT) headquarters collected over $220 million from local affiliates through member dues in 2024.

In that same year:

  • $33.5 million was spent by AFT on divisive political candidates, causes, and lobbying.
  • $5.2 million was paid or contributed to various organizations, many of which are ideologically driven.
  • $4.4 million was spent on airfare, hotels, and travel for union staff.
  • $7.5 million was spent on events, conferences, and catering throughout the year.
  • $4.6 million was spent on office expenses, promotional items, and union advertising.

AFT paid 384 officers and employees in 2024, with 272 receiving six-figure salaries. AFT president Rhonda Weingarten received $499,874.

AFT’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.