Peggy Nguyen, a Teacher Engagement Specialist with the Freedom Foundation, expressed her opposition to teacher unions due to their emphasis on political activism rather than teacher advocacy. She articulated her stance in an op-ed.
“I choose to deny any more power to unions to advance their political influence rather than improving working conditions for public school teachers,” said Nguyen. “A teachers union that actually cared about those it claims to represent would respect their wishes to opt out of membership and dues. Even if the unions had ideals aligned with my own beliefs, I would still choose to keep my hard-earned money in my own pocket book. It is because I strongly believe in protecting students that I oppose what unions do.”
Oyez reported that in 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that public sector employees cannot be compelled to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. The decision highlighted First Amendment protections against compelled speech, allowing public employees like teachers to opt out of union financial support while retaining their jobs. This ruling has significantly influenced union membership across the United States.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership among public sector workers decreased from 33.9% in 2018 to 33.1% in 2023, indicating a gradual decline following the Janus decision. While public sector unionization remains higher than in the private sector, the ruling has notably affected union dues collection.
A 2022 RAND Corporation report found that only 38% of teachers felt their union represented their views on social and political issues. The report indicated that dissatisfaction with unions’ political engagement contributed to a sense of disconnect among educators, particularly concerning union priorities. These findings suggest that political advocacy by unions may not align with many teachers’ perspectives.
Nguyen is a former public school teacher based in Orange County, California, who opted out of her union after the Janus decision. She now works with the Freedom Foundation to inform educators about their rights and alternatives to union membership. Her efforts focus on supporting teachers who wish to exercise their opt-out rights.
