California Teachers Association (CTA)
California is home to several teachers unions. The two primary unions are the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the California Federation of Teachers (CFT). The CTA is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), while the CFT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Each union has its own structure, goals, and methods for supporting teachers, advocating for educational policies, and negotiating on behalf of its members. As an educator in California, understanding how these unions work can give you valuable insight into how your union dues are spent and what rights and opportunities are available to you.
California Teachers Union
Leadership
- President: David B. Goldberg
- Vice President: Leslie Littman
- Secretary-Treasurer: Erika Jones
Organization
The California Teachers Association (CTA) is structured around two primary branches for policy-making: the policy executors, which include the Board of Directors and the three top executive officers, and the State Council of Education.
The State Council, which is made up of approximately 800 delegates representing various chapters across California, is responsible for voting on advocacy positions and policy decisions for the organization.
The CTA also has several committees, one of which sends representatives to the NEA Regional Assembly, where they join over 8,000 delegates to discuss national education policies as well as contentious political issues.
Member Dues
CTA union dues vary based on salary and local chapter requirements, but typically range from $700 to $800 per year for full-time educators. Dues cover local, state (CTA), and national (NEA) components and pay for union activities like contract negotiations, legal representation and advocacy.
Meetings
The CTA holds four policy-making meetings each year, where delegates gather to discuss and vote on key issues. The union also hosts conferences and events throughout the year for professional development, advocacy, and networking.
Requirements
You can become an active member of the California Teachers Association by filling out an enrollment form on the union’s website and paying dues. Both new members and non-members can enroll online and payroll deductions will begin once your enrollment is processed by your local chapter. School employees also have the right to not join, pay money or participate with the union.
Requirements
- Gavin Newsom Faces Budget Backlash — From His Closest Allies (2024)
- California Teachers Association Continues to Lose Members and Raise Union Dues (2023)
- Teachers, Community Members Protest CTA’s Radical Politics at Union Conference (2023)
- CTA Works to Weaken Charters – Now High Tech High Teachers Want in (2021)
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Large organization that spends millions of dollars on advocacy.
- Cons: Bureaucratic, potentially high fees. May engage on issues unrelated to members’ interests.
California Federation of Teachers
Leadership
- President: Jeffery M. Freitas
- Vice President(s): Every Chapter has a leader that becomes a general Vice President for the Federation).
- Secretary-Treasurer: L. Lacy Barnes
Organization
The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) is a coalition of 147 local unions representing educational employees across public and private schools in California. CFT works closely with the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and is organized into five Division Councils, each led by a council leader. This structure allows the CFT to represent a range of education professionals while focusing on specific issues relevant to each group.
Member Dues
CFT dues range from $484 annually for full-time employees to $24 for those on unpaid leave. Different rates apply based on employment status, such as substitutes or part-time employees. Dues are divided among local, state, and national levels to support the union’s activities, including advocacy, professional development and legal support.
Meetings
CFT meets every two years. Only elected delegates can vote, but all CFT members may attend. The next meeting is scheduled for March 21-23, 2025. Individual chapters meet on their own time.
Requirements
To join the CFT, you must be an educational employee in a CFT-affiliated institution. Membership is open to public and private educators, classified professionals, and other education-related staff. Workers als have the option to not join the union.
Recent Activity
Pros and Cons
- Pros: The union provides strong advocacy for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. It also offers professional development opportunities and legal support for its members.
. - Cons: Union dues can be a significant financial burden and members may not always agree with the union’s political positions.Contract provisions favor some employees at the expense of others.
Call to Action
Union membership is a choice. If you decide union membership is not right for you, opting out is easy.