Taxpayer Resources Shouldn't Be Spent on Union Politics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Workers for Opportunity released the following statement from Senior Policy Advisor Vincent Vernuccio today as the Tennessee Education Association continues to oppose state leaders’ efforts to protect teachers’ paychecks:
Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee legislators want to provide teachers the largest pay raise in state history and also protect that raise by ensuring that union dues are never automatically pulled from teachers’ paychecks. Union leaders oppose this protection.
It’s important to note that union dues, currently deducted at taxpayers’ expense, support union politicking. Members of the Tennessee Education Association must also belong to the National Education Association. Studies show that in 2021, the National Education Association spent nearly $65 million on “political activities and lobbying” – more than double the amount it spent on representational activities.
A review of political activities shows that the National Education Association spent its revenue, including Tennessee teachers’ dues, on:
- Supporting critical race theory
- Eliminating right-to-work laws
- Opposing school choice
- Supporting tax increases
The government should not be the bills collector for union dues, especially when those unions are affiliated with national organizations that do not respect Tennessee values.
SB 281 and HB 329 would increase minimum teacher pay to $50,000 over four years and end automatic payroll deduction of union dues.
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