MTI Membership Q & A for New Employees
When should I join MTI?
New hires are encouraged to join within thirty (30) days of employment to activate their membership as soon as possible. Membership is open to all eligible employees at any time.
How do I join MTI?
Go to www.madisonteachers.org/join to complete an online membership form. Select the appropriate bargaining unit based on your job category and complete the form to establish a dues payment method. Membership is effective once a membership form is submitted.
How will I pay dues?
Members have several options for the payment of dues.
- EFT/Bank draft (recommended): The simplest and most efficient way for a member to pay dues is an electronic funds transfer (EFT) from a checking or savings account. Also referred to as a “bank draft,” this is a common form of payment for many regular monthly expenses. This is a safe and secure method that most MTI members select.
- Other payment options
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- Credit card: MTI members who wish to pay monthly dues via credit card can arrange that via the online membership form. Note: There is a processing fee for using a credit card ($3.75 for “Teachers” and $1.00 for ESP and USO members).
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- Check: MTI members who wish to pay dues via personal check should contact MTI@madisonteachers.org or call (608) 257-0491 to request a membership form and invoice. The dues amount information will be provided to you on the invoice, and the amount will depend on your bargaining unit and contract percentage/hours of work.
It is recommended that members select the bank draft option as the most efficient and cost-effective method of payment. Other methods of payment incur additional expenses associated with bookkeeping, administrative overhead, and/or transaction fees.
How much are dues?
The dues amount varies by your job category, which determines your “bargaining unit.” Teachers and other professional staff are in the “MTI-Teacher” bargaining unit which includes membership in the Wisconsin Educational Association Council (WEAC) and the National Education Association (NEA), our state and national affiliates.
The Educational Support Professionals (ESP-MTI) and United Substitutes Organization (USO-MTI) are separate bargaining units and do not pay dues to WEAC or NEA.
Dues are paid monthly during the school year. The number of payments also varies by job category. The full-time monthly dues schedules for each bargaining group can be viewed on the MTI website: MTI Full-time dues chart
Elected leaders determine the dues amounts and help manage the annual budget. Dues paid by MTI members fund the work of the Union. This is an investment in yourself and your colleagues to ensure you have a voice in your employment and profession.
What happens if I elect to join MTI at a later date?
Membership is effective as soon as an employee completes an application form and covers employment issues that occur from that date forward. Employees who sign-up after an adverse employment event occurs can consult with MTI Staff for guidance but will receive limited services. The MTI Membership Policy requires that one be a member in good standing when an issue occurs.
Political Action Contributions
When you become an MTI member you are also enrolled in MTI VOTERS, MTI’s pollical action committee which supports state and local campaigns that impact public education, labor rights, and other legislation impacting our students and their families. The MTI VOTERS Committee interviews and recommends candidates for Madison School Board and other important state and local offices to the members of MTI VOTERS who then vote on the recommendations.
The MTI VOTERS Committee consists of the elected President of each MTI bargaining unit, the MTI Treasurer and nine (9) MTI members elected by the general membership. The Union’s political action contribution is 5% of the total dues amount.
Authorization of withdrawals for MTI VOTERS is voluntary and is not required as a condition of membership. Members may request a refund of their political action contribution by contacting MTI in writing between September 1 and October 1, or within 60 days of joining.
How do i cancel my membership?
Membership may be cancelled at any time by providing written notification to MTI at nicholsj@madisonteachers.org or by letter to MTI at 33 Nob Hill Road, Madison, WI 53713. Your membership and corresponding dues obligation will terminate within seven (7) days of MTI’s receipt of your written membership cancellation.
Note that once membership is cancelled with MTI, memberships with WEAC and NEA will end along with any membership rights and benefits. Any WEA benefits you may have taken advantage of may also be affected.