Louisiana Teachers Head Back to School With a Right They Didn’t Have Last Year
As Louisiana teachers report for orientations and in-service days this month, most of them are walking into buildings where the union’s pitch hasn’t changed in years: sign here, and we’ll take your dues out of your paycheck.
What has changed is the law.
Act 756 took effect August 1. It gives teachers and other school employees a clear, enforceable path to stop union dues from being deducted from their wages — and puts the burden on the union, not the employee, to prove that path was ever explained.
WHAT THE LAW ACTUALLY DOES
Act 756 doesn’t ban union dues. It doesn’t ban unions. It doesn’t stop a single teacher from joining one. What it does is make sure the decision to pay — or to stop paying — genuinely belongs to the employee.
Under the new law:
- A teacher or school employee can direct their employer to stop deducting dues, and the employer must give the union immediate electronic notice of that decision.
- Unions must notify employees annually of their right to opt out, and the union carries the burden of proving it did so.
- All withholding authorizations must use a form prescribed by the attorney general, so nobody signs away a paycheck deduction buried in fine print.
- Employers may not deduct dues or fees without electronic confirmation of the employee’s authorization first.
- Unions cannot make employees waive the right to stop the deduction.
- The union — not the employee, not the taxpayer — bears the administrative costs of starting or stopping withholding.
The bill was authored by Senator Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, and Representative Michael Melerine, R-Shreveport. It cleared the Senate unanimously on final passage, 35–0, and the House 60–38, with a conference committee report adopted in both chambers. Governor Jeff Landry signed it June 2. You can read the full text of the act here.
ARE YOU A LOUISIANA TEACHER OR SCHOOL EMPLOYEE?
Act 756 gives you the right to stop union dues withholding — and requires your union to tell you about that right every year.
HERE’S WHERE TO START:
- Read the law.
Act 756 (SB 312, 2026 Regular Session) - Get free, one-on-one help opting out.
Americans for Fair Treatment walks public employees through the process at no cost. Call 833-969-FAIR (3247) or email info@americansforfairtreatment.org. - See where your dues go.
AFFT’s analysis of Louisiana Federation of Teachers financial disclosures — built from the union’s own federal filings. - Explore non-union professional associations.
A+PEL — Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana — Louisiana-based, provides professional liability insurance and legal representation.
AAE — Association of American Educators — national alternative with a $2 million liability policy.
COMMON QUESTIONS:
- “Will I lose my liability insurance?”
Not if you replace it. Non-union professional associations provide liability coverage and legal representation, generally at a fraction of union dues. See the options below. - “My school says that organization isn’t allowed on campus.”
That may be true. Collective bargaining agreements in some Louisiana parishes bar alternative professional organizations from having a campus presence. That restriction governs who can set up a table at your in-service — it does not govern what you’re allowed to join. - “I tried to quit before and nothing happened.”
That is the exact problem Act 756 was written to fix. Under the new law you submit to your employer, the employer must notify the union immediately, and the union bears the burden of showing it told you your rights. If it still isn’t honored, tell us. - “Is this legal advice?”
No. This page is general information. For advice about your specific situation, talk to a lawyer.
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Something not working? If your district or union isn’t honoring your rights under Act 756, we want to hear about it. Contact the Pelican Institute at info@pelicaninstitute.org.
