Facing declining membership, teachers unions now say anyone can join....

washingtonexaminer ^ | 5/29/2018 | Kate Hardimen

[caww]

Teachers' unions are changing their tactics to maintain 'political clout' and salvage potential losses...Their new message? Anyone can join the union.

A new membership category called “Community Allies,” open to “any person who demonstrates support in advancing the cause of public education.”

It is of dubious legality, as unions are created to represent employees in a certain field, not to wield political influence.

Yet, if this plan succeeds, the National Educators Association will be able to solicit these new “members” for PAC donations, a fact that could extend their political reach even further beyond where it is now.

The National Educators Association plans to slash its budget in September by $50 million in anticipation of the reduction in numbers that could result from this decision.

The Supreme Court case that has union leaders worried is Janus v. AFSCME, which challenged the right of government unions to charge employees even when they disagree with the union’s positions. A similar case, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, resulted in a 4-4 split at the Supreme Court in 2016.

[Zathras]

Finally, we see what is going on at the NEA.
Less need for teachers and thus no one to pay into their pension fund.
Also explains why CA NEA is driving this.
They have had $$$ problems for a long time.