TO THOSE NOT PAYING DUES OR OPTED OUT OF THE UNION:

I recently had the opportunity to view information concerning the number of public school employees who either are not paying their union dues or have opted out of the union. I personally was a teacher that had no benefits or had to pay for them myself when I started. I was in the trenches along with many others throughout the state who fought to get you, yes you, the benefits you enjoy today.

There are groups like ALEC and the Mackinac Center whose main goal is to destroy public schools. When you don’t pay your dues or opt-out of the union, you are doing exactly what they want.

If you want to experience what it was like when I started teaching, tell your superintendent that you want to pay your full insurance premium and you do not want sick leave, personal days, or any other benefits. Try this for a year and see if it works for you.

REMEMBER IT WAS THOSE OF US IN THE UNION YEARS AGO WHO FOUGHT FOR THE BENEFITS YOU ENJOY TODAY!

Do you want to destroy the union that helped you get these benefits? This same union is continuing to work for you today. I know some of you may be saying you have children to raise and a mortgage, etc. In our tough years of bargaining we all had the same challenges, but we all stayed united and succeeded to get the benefits you enjoy today.

If you still continue to not paying your dues or opt-out of the union, I hope each morning when you look in the mirror you say, “I helped to weaken the union and assisted in destroying public schools”.

“TOGETHER YOU BARGAIN, ALONE YOU BEG.”

Earl Eliason Retired Teacher

via http://www.mea.org/pdf/041715-Earls-Letter.pdf