Opt-Out/Resign from Your Union

Public employees in Connecticut have the right to resign from their unions and stop paying dues, thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME.

This landmark decision affirmed that forcing public workers to pay union fees as a condition of employment violates their First Amendment rights to free speech and association. This ruling has shifted the landscape for Connecticut’s public sector workforce, empowering employees to decide for themselves whether to financially support a union or not.

No longer can unions automatically deduct agency fees from non-members’ paychecks—workers must now give explicit consent for any deductions, giving them greater control over their earnings. The process to resign is straightforward but requires attention to detail.

Yankee Institute is here to walk you through the process. Call for a free consultation at 860-282-0722 be sure to leave your phone number and we will call you back.

Why might public employees choose to leave? For some, it’s a matter of principle—disagreeing with how unions spend dues, often on political causes or lobbying efforts they don’t support. Others see little personal benefit from membership, especially since Connecticut’s civil service laws and the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) agreements secure benefits like pensions and healthcare regardless of union status.

Resigning doesn’t jeopardize job security or benefits; a misconception some unions perpetuate to retain members. Connecticut’s state law levels public employees in the dark about their rights. We are here to turn on the light and keep you informed.