Maine Teachers Unions

In Maine, the Maine Education Association (MEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Maine Regional Council play leading roles in representing educators. Both groups focus on collective bargaining, legislative advocacy, and professional resources, while also providing members with support services such as insurance coverage, legal assistance, and opportunities for professional growth.

Maine Education Association (MEA)

Leadership

• President: Jesse Hargrove
• Vice President: Beth French
• Treasurer/Secretary: Jaye Rich

Organization
MEA is the primary statewide professional and bargaining association for K–12 educators. The organization functions as the umbrella state affiliate under NEA for many local school district unions, supporting local affiliates with legal, negotiating, training, and advocacy services. It also exercises the “exclusive representative” role in many bargaining units, meaning even nonmembers are covered under negotiated contracts.

Member Dues
The Maine Education Association (MEA) charges active professional members around $460 per year, with combined local, state, and national dues averaging about $310–$320. Education support professionals pay about half that amount, and retired members pay a small reduced rate.

Meetings
The MEA holds an annual statewide Representative Assembly and may call additional sessions as needed. Local units and committees meet regularly, typically monthly or quarterly, while the Board of Directors also meets on a regular schedule. Meeting frequency for local and committee groups is determined by their bylaws or leadership.

Requirements
To join the MEA, individuals must be employed in a qualifying Maine education role. Membership provides access to collective bargaining, professional development, and member services.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• MEA provides legal, negotiating, and grievance support that may be costly or unavailable for individual teachers or small locals.
• The union amplifies collective voice and lobbying capacity at the state legislature on education policy.
• MEA offers professional development, leadership training, and networking opportunities across districts.
• Because MEA is the exclusive bargaining agent in many units, all staff gain uniform contract protections.

Cons

• Some members may feel their dues are high relative to services received, especially in smaller districts with limited direct engagement.
• Local autonomy can be constrained if state-level strategies or priorities diverge from local needs.
• Members who are not current with dues lose voting rights, which can create internal tensions over enforcement.
• The organizational structure means members often pay multiple layers of dues and fees, reducing net benefit.

AFT Maine Regional Council

Leadership

• AFT President: Randi Weingarten
• AFT Vice President:: Evelyn DeJesus
• AFT Treasurer/Secretary: Fedrick C. Ingram

Organization
The AFT Maine Regional Council is the state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, supporting local K–12 teacher unions across Maine. It coordinates advocacy, professional development, and serves as a link between local unions and the national AFT, while promoting public education in the state.

Member Dues
Full-time AFT Maine members typically pay around $235 annually for national dues, with additional local and state dues varying by district. Total combined dues for most members are in the range of roughly $300–$400 per year.

Meetings
AFT Maine state council typically holds periodic conventions or assemblies to set policy, elect officers, and coordinate strategy. Local unions also conduct membership meetings, negotiations, and executive sessions, while the state-level staff may organize regional workshops, training, and forums for members.

Requirements
To join AFT Maine, educators must belong to an affiliated local union and meet the professional criteria set by that local, such as being a certified teacher or eligible education professional. Members are also required to pay local, state, and national dues, and some locals may have additional eligibility or probationary requirements.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Being part of AFT Maine connects local teachers to a national union network with resources, policy influence, and broader support.
• It may offer a different approach or voice from NEA/MEA particularly in districts where locals prefer AFT’s style or priorities.
• AFT’s national scale can provide access to litigation support, large-scale advocacy campaigns, and research resources.
• It offers a counterbalance to a single-union monopoly, giving teachers choice in representation (if locals exist).

Cons

• Due to AFT Maine’s size, the level of state-level support and infrastructure may be weaker compared to MEA.
• Lack of publicly available dues and meeting detail suggests lower transparency or weaker public communication.
• Local AFT unions may face challenges in bargaining power in districts dominated by MEA-affiliated units.
• Redundancies (local-state-national) may reduce efficiency, and teachers may end up paying multiple overlapping dues.

Exercise Your Rights

Union membership is a choice. If you decide union membership is not right for you, opting out is easy.