The numbers are in, and New York is on fire.
September 2024 has gone down as the Freedom Foundation’s best yet in the Empire State, with 161 public employees standing up and saying “no more” to union dues. This isn’t just a symbolic victory—these opt-outs cost the union an estimated $136,850 annually, with each opt-out representing about $850 in lost dues per year. That’s a significant financial hit that sends a strong message.
It’s a solid jump from last year’s 107 opt-outs. We’re not just hitting milestones; we’re setting records.
And it’s just the beginning.
These numbers are no fluke; they’re part of a trend we’ve been building on for months. More and more public employees are waking up to the reality that they don’t have to let unions control their paychecks or their politics.
That 50 percent increase from last September is proof positive that our message is resonating. It’s a sign that New Yorkers are fed up with unions taking their money to fund political agendas that don’t represent them.
This momentum is no accident. Our outreach is multi-faceted, utilizing direct mail, email, phone calls, and online ads. But the real difference comes from within — public employees are increasingly extolling the benefits of opting out to their co-workers, and our dedicated ambassadors are stepping up to help colleagues navigate the opt-out process.
The response is powerful: When people see union leaders mismanage funds and prioritize political spending over their needs, they’re motivated to take action by canceling their own union dues.
At the Freedom Foundation, we know knowledge is power. We’re here to give public employees the tools and the facts they need to take control of their own financial and political futures.
We’re calling out unions for playing political games with members’ money and making sure every worker knows they can make a different choice.
And we’re not stopping here. With September’s numbers and our earlier wins this year, New York is on track for a record-setting year.
We’re doubling down on our efforts to get the word out, making sure every public employee knows their rights were affirmed in *Janus v. AFSCME* and how to opt out if they want to keep their money out of union coffers.
We can’t do it alone, though. Our network’s support is key to pushing back against these unions and expanding this movement across the country.
If you back our mission, share our message, and keep New York’s momentum going strong.
This isn’t just another milestone; it’s proof New Yorkers are ready for change. Together, we’re challenging union power, empowering workers, and making sure every public employee in this state gets the freedom they deserve.
