CORNING, Calif. – Teachers in three different local unions have voted to decertify from the California Teachers Association.

“While we appreciate the things that CTA does with regard to lobbying for educational funding, many of our teachers felt disconnected to CTA as they have used dues to support social issues that many of us don’t feel have a direct connection to education,” Lance Alldrin, president of the newly created Corning Independent Teachers Association said in the Corning Observer.

California unions routinely support various causes like abortion rights, gay marriage, and has even defended convicted cop killer Mumia Abu Jamal. Many union members understandably want nothing to do with that agenda, particularly since it has no connection to the goal of improving education.

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“For those of us that supported this change, it came down to saving a substantial amount of money in dues, securing higher levels of service for our members, and regaining control of our association and our agenda,” Alldrin said.

In addition to Corning, teachers from the Millville Elementary and Springville Union Elementary school districts also voted to disassociate from the CTA, according to CalWatchdog.

CalWatchdog reports an attorney who helped the teachers decertify expects more petitions in 2014.

“California teachers pay $1,000 or more in union dues under the CTA model. Independent teachers associations have complete autonomy on setting dues, but the typical savings is at least $500 per year for each teacher,” the site notes.