One of my favorite parts of this work is hearing from union members who reach out for help — people fed up with how their union operates and want to share their experiences, often because they’re ready to opt out.

These conversations are typically honest, emotional and eye-opening. But not every call is like that.

Unfortunately, a part of the job we don’t look forward to is hearing from members who call just to yell, insult or curse us.

And sadly, many of them are educators — the very people responsible for teaching the next generation.

Still, every so often, we get the rare opportunity to speak with loyal union members who genuinely want to have a conversation. They’re passionate, thoughtful advocates for their union, and they’re not calling to agree with us — but to understand where we’re coming from.

Those conversations are the ones I value most, even if they don’t lead anywhere.

Here’s what usually happens: The moment I bring up union corruption or the need for greater accountability, it’s like their faith in the union is so deep they can’t imagine it doing wrong — no matter how serious the concern.

It’s as if the good the union does automatically cancels out any mismanagement or abuse. That kind of blind faith has always struck me as dangerous.

And the more I think about it, the more I compare it to another powerful institution built on loyalty and trust — the church.

Loyalty, after all, is a powerful thing. Whether it’s toward family, faith or a union, it stems from deep trust and shared values.

But loyalty without accountability — especially in organizations that manage people’s money, livelihoods and futures — can be risky, even harmful.

Consider the local church. At its best, it feeds the hungry, comforts the hurting and builds stronger communities.

But history has shown us that even the most well-meaning churches can go off track without transparency. We’ve seen scandals unfold in churches once thought untouchable — precisely because people assumed that good deeds excused a lack of oversight.

And in the end, it’s always the faithful who suffer most when that trust is broken.

Unions are no different. They were created to protect workers’ rights, bargain for fair wages and ensure safe working conditions.

But that doesn’t give them a pass on accountability.

In fact, it makes transparency even more essential — because when an organization represents thousands of people and handles millions in dues, every member, loyal or not, deserves to know how that money is being spent and whether it reflects their values.

Think about this: If you’re a churchgoer, would you keep tithing if you found out your pastor was secretly using the church credit card at a casino? Would you shrug it off just because the church still runs a soup kitchen?

Probably not. You’d want answers. You’d want reform. You’d want to protect the integrity of the mission.

Why should unions be any different?

Loyalty without scrutiny can enable waste, corruption and abuse. We’ve seen union leaders spend member dues on political causes that have nothing to do with workplace representation — or even go directly against the beliefs of their members.

We’ve seen union leadership fight harder to protect their power and pocketbooks than to protect their workers.

Even if you’re a proud union supporter, you should want your union to be above reproach. You should demand clean books, open meetings, regular audits and clear communication.

Not because you’re disloyal — but because you care enough to want the union to thrive.

Because here’s the thing: When a union loses the trust of its members, it collapses from within. And when it collapses, the people who suffer most are the most loyal members and the workers it was supposed to serve.

Loyalty doesn’t mean silence. Loyalty means accountability.

And it’s time every union member — especially the loyal ones — demand both.

If you’re a union member, start by asking important questions: Where is your money going? Are political contributions being made without your consent? Are union leaders willing to be transparent and accountable?

Raise your concerns, gather with like-minded coworkers, and push for change. But if leadership refuses to listen — if your union won’t open the books or acknowledge your voice — you do have another option.

You can opt out of paying union dues as a form of protest. It’s your legal right, and it sends a powerful message that mismanagement and dishonesty will not be funded.

Learn how at OptOutToday.com.

Stand for transparency. Stand for accountability.