Teachers' Unions Face Scrutiny Over Political Spending Amid Claims of Dues Misuse

Nicki Neily, President of Parents Defending Education, has publicly criticized teachers' unions, asserting that "Tax dollars shouldn’t be a weapon. Yet teachers’ unions are using them to push a political agenda—against teachers, families, and students." Neily, in a post on X, further claimed that this alleged political focus is leading many educators to leave unions "in droves." This statement highlights a growing debate regarding the financial practices and influence of prominent teachers' unions.

Neily's organization, Parents Defending Education, has released reports detailing significant financial contributions from the nation's two largest teachers' unions, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), to various political and advocacy groups. According to a report by Defending Education, the NEA and AFT have collectively allocated over $43 million in dues to "leftwing and far-left causes" since 2022. These funds reportedly support organizations such as MoveOn.org, PEN America, and various state and federal Political Action Committees (PACs), including a combined $9.3 million to the For Our Future Action Fund.

Critics argue that these expenditures, often derived from member dues, prioritize political agendas over core educational concerns. The NEA, for instance, reportedly spent $2 on politics for every $1 on member representation in one period. While unions maintain that their political activities advocate for better pay, working conditions, and public education, the use of dues for broader political and social issues has drawn fire.

The debate over union finances is further complicated by the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, which made mandatory union fees for public sector employees illegal. This decision allows public employees, including teachers, to opt out of union membership and dues without losing their jobs. Following Janus, some reports indicate a decline in union membership, with the NEA experiencing a loss of over 100,000 members since 2018. Organizations like the Freedom Foundation actively assist teachers in exercising their right to opt out, citing concerns that union political spending does not align with members' values.

The implications of union political engagement extend to school governance and policy. Neily and other critics contend that unions' focus on political and social issues, such as "radical gender ideology" and "DEI policies," detracts from academic performance and parental rights. This has fueled a broader discussion on the role of unions in shaping educational outcomes and the allocation of resources within the public education system.