Do I have to pay union dues in California?

A long time ago I use to work for that union...the California Teachers Association. If your district is 'closed,' you must indeed pay union dues. But, you do have some choice about the 'political' part of the dues. (Dues are broken down into portions, x amount for political, x amt for admin, x amt for bargaining, etc.) You can elect to have that portion given to charity instead of to the union. The amount you pay will be the exact same. The only difference will be how the money is used. To learn more, find out who your union rep is at your campus, and ask her about this. Don't let her b.s. you. If you have to, call the CTA office that services your chapter.

I'm sure that you have a closed shop, which means to work there you have to be part of the union. Some unions have an "opt-out" option, which amounts to paying about half of the dues to have no say in the process. Before you decide to contest your membership, you should find out what benefits it gives you. My union gives me dental, a pension, and quite a few other things I wouldn't have access to otherwise. And being a teacher, you probably don't want to underestimate the importance of the grievance process - it protects you from being fired without cause. I know a thing or two about the teacher's union, and I can tell you right now that no matter how little you feel you make, you'd be getting a lot less without that union.

Its not a state thing. It is within the contract you signed with your district. the collective bargaining done by the unions have and will benefit you as you do not have to individually bargain for the things in your contract. They always put in language requiring employees to either pay dues - or some sort of agency fee.

look to your contract.