Michael Greer, a retired special‑education teacher who spent 26 years with the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the National Education Association (NEA), told Fox News Digital that the nation’s two largest teachers unions have abandoned their original focus on classroom instruction. Greer, who also chairs the Del Norte County Republican Party, said the unions now spend the bulk of their resources on political activism and lobbying.
Union spending figures raise concerns
According to an investigation by the North American Values Institute (NAVI), the NEA allocated at least $547 million to political activity and advocacy between fiscal years 2016 and 2025. That total includes $458.9 million officially designated as political and lobbying expenditures and $88.2 million in direct contributions to progressive organizations. The same study found the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) reported $383.2 million in political activity and lobbying over the same period.
A separate report from Parents Defending Education estimated that, when state and local affiliates are added, national teachers unions have funneled more than $1 billion to left‑leaning political groups and causes since 2015. Contributions have gone to Democratic‑aligned political action committees such as the Senate Majority PAC and House Majority PAC, as well as progressive groups like the State Engagement Fund (over $60 million) and the For Our Future Action Fund (over $40 million).
From classroom workshops to political rallies
Greer recalled his early days as a union leader, when conferences emphasized practical instructional workshops in reading, math and science. “We took those programs back and taught our colleagues how to implement them,” he said. “That has changed completely.” He argues the unions now teach teachers how to become union members, how to strike, and how to gain social‑justice power, rather than how to improve student learning.
Despite his criticism, Greer noted that the CTA still funds teachers to attend both the state Republican and Democratic conventions, covering up to $800 for hotel and transportation. “They want teachers to participate in the political process,” he said, adding that this bipartisan funding underscores the unions’ focus on political influence.
Student achievement trends add urgency
Federal education officials recently reported that only about three in ten students nationwide are proficient in math and reading, even though more than $3 trillion in federal taxpayer funding has been spent on education since the Department of Education was created in 1979. Greer sees a direct link between declining academic outcomes and the unions’ shift away from instructional support.
Local perspective and broader implications
As a former member of the Del Norte County Unified School District Board of Trustees, Greer has witnessed the impact of union policies at the local level. He described himself as one of the “bad boys” in California education for speaking out against the unions’ political focus.
While the NEA and AFT have not responded to requests for comment, the data presented by NAVI and Parents Defending Education suggests a sustained and growing investment in political advocacy. Critics argue that such spending diverts resources away from teachers and students, while union supporters claim it is necessary to protect public‑education funding and workers’ rights.
What this means for parents and educators
Parents and teachers who prioritize classroom instruction may find themselves at odds with union leadership that appears increasingly oriented toward influencing legislation and elections. The debate highlights a broader national conversation about the role of teachers unions in shaping education policy and the balance between advocacy and direct instructional support.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
