2 days ago
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As it relates to union fees, the upcoming increases will take effect in September. The controversy comes as a proposal circulating among BNTU members seeks to increase total monthly union deductions from twenty dollars to forty dollars, effective September 2026. Retired members would be required to contribute sixty dollars annually. Under the proposal, the monthly contribution to the death-benefit fund would increase from two dollars to eight dollars. The branch allocation would rise from five dollars and sixty cents to seven dollars, while the national allocation would increase from eight dollars and forty cents to ten dollars. The strike-fund contribution would move from one dollar to three dollars. New monthly allocations of two dollars for professional fees and eight dollars for conventions would also be introduced, while the building-fund contribution would decrease from three dollars to two dollars. According to Caliz, the new fee structure will allow for enhanced benefits resulting from the increase would be implemented within one year of the vested period.
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU: “And those of you who have been to every convention, you will remember that this member, Nadia Caliz, not as your president as a member, have been rallying, putting forward resolutions for there to be what you call a payout. If the member decides to retire and not be a part of the organization then there’s a benefit that the member should be given. Each time that resolution has been struck down. So now under my leadership as the president of this organization and those who attended the branch meetings and the convention can attest to this, there is a proposal that has been voted on for an increase in dues and attached to that is an increase in debt benefit and a five year, three to five year benefit package attached to you after retirement. And so you don’t need to come forward and make that monthly contribution because of situations like these. If you’re from the south, you’ll remember Mr. Mario Gonzalez every year Mr. Mario Gonzalez he would pay his $54 religiously. And when Mr. Mario fell ill, no payments were made. When Mr. Mario died his family came forward and I felt bad as a leader. I felt real bad as a leader. Because we don’t really follow up like that at the branch level. It’s from the national office and from the national level we don’t follow up either. So under my leadership we have constructed a database that allows for us to track our members and that’s why right now we’re putting in the information as it pertain to their contribution and it is through that system that we’ll be alerted of those who are retired, those who are not paying, for us to follow up and check.”
The proposed doubling of monthly dues is already creating concern among some teachers, who are questioning the timing of the increase and seeking details about the enhanced benefits members would receive
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