Texas doesn’t have ‘unions’ for teachers. We have associations or organizations. They collect ‘dues’ so they can lobby on our behalf, but they cannot call for a strike or negotiate salaries (collective bargaining). The biggest teacher association in Texas is TSTA (Texas State Teachers’ Association). Since I retired, I belong to TRTA (Texas Retired Teachers’ Association). They also collect dues and lobby on our behalf (unsuccessfully) for a COLA (cost of living adjustment) which was last approved 18 years ago, and the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision that prevents teachers and other state employees from receiving their earned social security benefit.

BTW, Texas ranks 36 in teacher pay, and 42 in per student funding. (I might have that backwards.) If we March in Austin on a day we have off (think holiday), we are vilified for leaving our classrooms and students untended. And the average retirement pension benefit is less than $2000/month.

So if you have a choice, do some research and move to a state that values their teachers. Texas does not.