AFT

To opt out of AFT dues:

Enter your information into the form below and click “submit.”
On the next 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 below, we’ll mail you a copy of the form.
Sign and date the form.
Mail the completed form to AFT at the address at the top of the form. We highly recommend sending it via certified mail.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its local affiliates represent over 17,000 faculty members, teaching assistants, and classified school employees in Oregon.

Each local AFT union goes by a different name:

Associated Academic Professionals (AAP) – University of Oregon
AFT-Oregon Coast United Employees (AFTOCUE) – Oregon Coast Community College
Blue Mountain Federation of Teachers (BMFT) – Grant School District
Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE) – Oregon State University
Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF) – University of Oregon
Hillsboro Classified United (HCU) – Hillsboro School District
Lane Community College Employees Federation (LCCEF) – Lane Community College
Portland Community College Federation of Classified Employees (PCCFCE) – Portland Community College
Portland Community College Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (PCCFFAP) – Portland Community College
Portland Federation of School Professionals (PFSP) – Portland Public Schools
Portland State University Faculty Association (PSUFA) – Portland State University
Scappoose Federation of Classified Employees (SFCE) – Scappoose School District
Southwestern Oregon Community College Classified Federation (SWOCCCF) – Southwestern Oregon Community College
Southwestern Oregon Community College Federation of Teachers (SWOCCFT) – Southwestern Oregon Community College
United Academics – University of Oregon
United Employees of Columbia Gorge Community College (UECGCC) – Columbia Gorge Community College
Western Oregon University Federation of Teachers (WOUFT) – Western Oregon Community College

For years, faculty members and other public school employees were required to pay union dues to AFT as a condition of employment and their employer automatically deducted union dues from workers’ paychecks.

However, because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Janus v. AFSCME (2018), faculty and other public school employees can now demand that AFT cease withholding union dues/fees from their paychecks.

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 dues by filling out the form below, printing it and mailing it to AFT.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get AFT or my local AFT affiliate to stop deducting dues from my paychecks?

Completing the form above will generate a letter you can send to AFT to resign your formal union membership and cease paying dues.

Send a signed copy of your letter to:

David Rives, President
AFT-Oregon
10228 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219

We highly recommend sending the letter via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Keep a copy of the letter and your certified mail receipt for your reference.

How much are AFT dues?

Union dues vary between locals affiliated with AFT-Oregon. They generally range between several hundred dollars per year to over $1,000. For instance, the Portland Federation of School Professionals charges its members up to $1,033 of per year.

If I stop paying dues to the union, will I still receive the same wages and benefits specified in AFT's contract with my employer?

Yes. 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.

Does opting out affect my pension?

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, benefits and conditions of employment are all set by the contract and will remain unchanged regardless of whether you are technically a union member and regardless of whether you choose to pay union dues.

Will the union stop helping me with workplace issues?

The union has been recognized by the state as the “exclusive representative” of all members of its bargaining units, whether formal union members or not. In return for the monopoly on this particular service, unions have a corresponding legal duty to provide fair representation.

How will my relationship with the union change if I resign my membership in AFT and stop paying dues?

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 likely be ineligible for certain “members only” benefits, such as discounts on additional insurance or deals the union has arranged with businesses, if any. You may no longer receive the union newsletter or similar publications.

How does AFT spend my dues money?

AFT-Oregon

AFT-Oregon collected $2 million from its affiliated local unions in fiscal year 2020, according to reports the union must file with the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

In 2022 alone:

$154,453 was spent on political activity and lobbying.
$51,530 was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
$128,344 was spent on private attorneys and consultants.
$10,171 was spent hotel venues for union meetings and events.

AFT-Oregon paid 28 officers and employees in 2022. President Jaime Rodriguez received $118,670. The union currently holds $4.4 million in cash reserves, of which $490,000 was stockpiled just this past year.

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

A portion of the dues paid by AFT-Oregon members goes to support the American Federation of Teachers’ national headquarters.

American Federation of Teachers

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, 2017, 2016.