My spouse also teaches in this district (or another district). Why should we pay double dues?
When you were employed it was not because of your marital status, but because the district felt you would make a good addition to our staff. CEA works on behalf of each teacher - so that, in a sense you and your spouse reap double benefits, e.g., you both receive the salary increases the Association bargains. Have you ever tried to get your insurance company to cut your premium in half, just because your spouse happens to also have a policy with the same company?
I can't afford it.
You can't afford not to join - and join now. CEA/CTA/NEA have contributed continuously to winning benefits already reflected in your paycheck. Payroll deduction provides an affordable pay-as-you-go dues payment plan. We don't accept "can't afford it" from school board negotiators. Why should we be any less firm with those who benefit directly from salary boosts and other benefits we are winning?
I don't agree with a lot of things that the Association does.
Okay! That's your privilege. But can you honestly say that you never disagree with the actions of the State Legislature or Congress? Nonetheless, you don't drop your citizenship, give up your voting franchise, and refuse to pay your taxes. Representative government - in organizations as well as nations - depends on people who "pay their dues" and who participate in decision-making. If you don't agree with some direction the Association is taking, join up, become active, and work to change its course.
I don't have a voice in what the Association does.
Yes, you do - if you want one. You can make your voice heard every time your local takes action. You also have direct representation to the CTA State Council and NEA Representative Assembly through the representatives you elect. California has eleven members on the Board of Directors of the NEA and these members will make your wishes known - if you communicate with them through your chapter's policy-making body.
All my CTA/NEA local chapter is interested in is more money for teachers. This isn't my idea of a professional organization.
Have you examined the CTA/NEA local chapter budgets lately? A significant amount is spent just on support for programs and services for members. In addition to this, a good part of the CTA-local activities deal with public relations, which helps all educators, as well as improving instruction, and working conditions.
I don't believe in joining anything.
We respect your right to your own beliefs, but is it true that you are opposed to all organized groups? Don't you belong to a credit union? Do you purchase any insurance? Do you contribute to any charities? If all teachers refused to band together, we wouldn't have any security - no guaranteed sick leave, no liability protection, no tenure rights, no fringe benefits, no federal aid - those are only some of the legal protections gained by CTA and NEA. Joining with others whose interests coincide is the way to get things done in our American Society.
I don't see what CTA and NEA does that the local Association can't do...I'd rather spend my money on just my local Association.
Consider this one example: If your local Association were to attempt to employ its own legislative contacts, your local dues would probably jump to $600, at least - and you can't get laws enacted just by "writing letters to your legislative representative." We need a powerful lobby in Sacramento, and Washington D.C. - and CTA and NEA provide those lobbies. Then there's the CTA/NEA computerized research data for bargaining, CTA/NEA rep before PERB, etc.
There isn't any real reason for me to join - after all, any salary or employment benefits negotiated locally by the Association or enacted law with CTA/NEA support will be mine anyhow.
That's partly true. There are membership benefits you can't obtain as a fee-payer. If you should be unfortunate enough to receive a dismissal notice, or be subjected to a credential revocation process, for example - then it would be too late to obtain CTA/NEA legal assistance.
I hear a lot about CTA insurance. I already have insurance. What good is CTA's to me?
Read your insurance policy carefully. Does it provide the $1,000,000 worth of professional liability insurance you get from CTA? Then there are the insurance plans provided as part of your fringe benefits - as negotiated with CTA/NEA help. Have you compared those insurance coverages and rates with what you can buy as an individual?
I have my own attorney. If I ever get in trouble, I'll use my attorney.
By all means do. But you and your attorney may be able to save yourselves a lot of time and effort by using the expertise of CTA/NEA staff who have specific knowledge about school law and procedures probably related to your problem. And don't forget, you'll have to pay for your attorney. By applying to the CTA's Group Legal Service or the NEA Kate Frank-DuShane Fund, you may get help in paying those legal costs. CTA members have help available from CTA staff attorneys as well as those in 23 firms scattered throughout the state; firms which participate in the Association's Group Legal Services program.
I write to my legislator about important bills. Why should I pay for Association lobbyists and political contacts?
As a good citizen, you should continue to make your thoughts known to your elected officials. Buy one voice doesn't mean as much to a lawmaker as the united voice of 260,000 CTA members, or 2.2 million NEA teachers nationwide. CTA/NEA has full-time lobbying staffs which analyze bills and help legislators enact laws that will benefit you directly. Your political power is enhanced when letters and visits to lawmakers are part of a coordinated overall strategy to improve education. That's why the Association works full time in the State Legislature and Congress and in lawmakers' home districts. It is extremely important to coordinate member contacts with lawmakers' home offices. Only the Association has the resources to do this job for educators on a statewide and nationwide basis.