Union strikes are roiling schools districts across the state, with officials in nine districts being forced to close schools to some 116,000 children.  In others, like Shoreline, officials thought it best to “buy off” the union with money raises of up to 24%, putting their budgets into deficit.

In some districts, like Tumwater, officials have taken the union to court for closing schools, since public-sector strikes are illegal under state law.

Not all teachers, however, agree with the union’s confrontational strategy.  They don’t want to close schools – they just want to do what they love; teach and help kids.  Now these teachers have an alternative.

Three months ago the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Janus v. AFSCME that public-sector employees, including teachers, are free to leave a union and still keep their jobs.  In the past, union executives maintained their position through fear – teachers had to pay the union or be fired.

Now teachers who disagree with the union can opt-out, and still keep their full wages, health care, seniority, and retirement benefits.

Many teachers oppose the coercive tactics and the politics of the union. Until the Janus case, their quiet and reasonable voices were drowned out by the turmoil created by union strikes.

Now, teachers no longer have to participate in illegal strikes.  They don’t have to be part of union’s money threats that often put school budgets into the red.  They don’t have to put the jobs of young teachers at risk when districts run out of money, and they don’t have to be part of political agenda to force higher property taxes on local communities, working families and the elderly.

Here is the link teachers can use to the opt out of the union: https://www.optouttoday.com/wea.