UTD

To opt out of UTD 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 and make two copies.
5. Mail the completed form to the address at the top of the form. We highly recommend sending it via certified mail.
6. Provide a copy to your employer’s payroll officer and keep a copy for your files.

The United Teachers of Dade (UTD) is the designated union for approximately 30,000 teachers and other school employees working for Florida’s largest school district, Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Those who find themselves in a union-represented workplace should know that Florida law has long protected public employees from being forced to financially support a union against their will. Furthermore, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Janus v. AFSCME reaffirmed that all public employees have a constitutional right to choose for themselves whether to pay any union dues or fees.

You can opt out of UTD dues by filling out the form above, printing it and mailing it to the union.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I send my resignation to the union?

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.

Keep in mind:

Opting out is your constitutional right. However, unions like UTD 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 UTD dues?

UTD dues for full-time teachers are currently $978.40 per year.

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

Yes. UTD 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, UTD 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 employer-provided wages, health care, retirement or other benefits if I opt out?

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 UTD.

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 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.

How does UTD spend my dues money?

United Teachers of Dade

UTD collected nearly $10.7 million in dues and fees from its members in fiscal year 2022, according to reports the union must file with the IRS.

In that year alone:

$5.3 million went to affiliate organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association to support their massive political, economic and social agendas.
$171,800 was channeled to a legislative fund for political expenditures.
$276,400 was spent on event expenses
$237,900 was spent on office expenses
$95,000 was spent on attorneys and private consultants.
$63,000 was spent on travel for union staff.

UTD paid at least 29 officers and employees in calendar year 2022, six of whom were paid six figures. President Karla Hernandez-Mats received $293,127.

As of 2022, UTD has accumulated a cash stockpile of $10.4 million.

UTD’s most recent IRS 990 reports are available here: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.

A portion of the dues paid by UTD members goes to support the Florida Education Association (FEA).

Florida Education Association

FEA collected $33.9 million in dues and fees from its members in fiscal year 2022, according to reports the union must file with the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

In 2020 alone:

$8.7 million went to the national headquarters of the American Federation of Teachers in Washington, D.C., to support its massive political, economic and social agenda. AFT regularly supports a host of controversial organizations.
$3.3 million was spent by FEA on political activities and lobbying.
$6.2 million was paid or contributed to a variety of outside and affiliated organizations.
$4.5 million was spent on attorneys and private consultants.
$1.8 million was spent on travel for union staff and hotel venues. This includes $370,300 on meetings and events at a four-star resort in Orlando.

FEA paid 171 officers and employees in 2022, 64 of whom were paid six figures. Officer Andrew Spar was paid $415,421.

FEA holds $64.6 million in cash reserves.

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

A portion of the dues paid by FEA members goes to support the American Federation of Teachers headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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.

National Education Association

According to its filings with the U.S. Dept. of Labor, NEA collected $375 million from its members in fiscal year 2022. In that year alone:

$41.6 million was spent on divisive political candidates, causes and lobbying.
$120 million was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations. This included $270,000 donated to the Democracy Alliance, a radical left organization founded by George Soros. NEA also gave $450,000 to the Strategic Victory Fund, a super PAC that has financially supported Planned Parenthood.
$11.2 million was spent on travel for union staff and hotel venues, including $1.4 million for a conference at the Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas.
$19.9 million was spent on legal and consulting services.
$311,492 was spent on food and catering.

NEA paid 694 officers and employees in 2022, 429 of whom were paid six figures. NEA president Rebecca Pringle received $449,537.

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