Where does a teacher’s dues check go?
Every two weeks, $49.89 is taken out of teachers' paychecks as UFT dues. Other jobs have different dues amounts, ranging from $24.95 for paraprofessionals to $51.08 for psychologists and social workers, but union dues are a flat fee determined by position, not salary. Of course, the union doesn't spend all of its money every year, or immediately, but since member dues and fees are spent on all facets of the union's operation, it's reasonable to track dues to spending. If we did that for the union's total spending for the 2011-12 year ($166,528,712), this is how a teacher's (then-lower, $49.39) dues payment would have been divided up: (scroll below graphic for more details)
Dues to AFT, NYSUT, and AFL-CIO: UFT spokesperson estimated the breakdown as $26 million to NYSUT (50%, so $7.54 of check), $20 million to AFT (or $5.80), and $4 million to AFL-