Freedom Foundation brings union opt-out campaign to Michigan doorsteps

(The Center Square) – The Freedom Foundation gave The Center Square an exclusive look at its recent door-to-door campaign in Michigan aimed at informing public employees about their union opt-out rights.

As part of the canvassing operation, foundation canvassers knocked on 7,248 doors across Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Detroit throughout August and September.

Siena Rose, a communications associate with the foundation, was on the ground assisting with the campaign.

“It was really cool to be able to speak to people one-on-one from all different walks of life, from all areas of Michigan,” Rose said.

She explained that the effort was part of the foundation’s sister organization “Opt-Out Today,” which aims to inform public employees about their union opt-out rights.

“We are united by letting people know you have rights and you have options, and the union isn't going to represent you best,” Rose said. “You can do everything you need without the representation of the union.”

The foundation, which describes itself as an “action tank” fighting the “entrenched power of left-wing government union bosses,” prides itself on nearly 300,000 opt-outs nationwide. Those opt-outs have cost the unions nearly $900 million in dues, according to stats from the Freedom Foundation.

“We work to inform public employees about their constitutional and SCOTUS-protected right to opt-out of union representation,” Rose explained. “But we also help people set up independent local unions.”

Nationally, about 7.3 million government workers were union members in 2025, representing nearly one-third of government workers. This is according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In Michigan, the foundation’s campaign was focused specifically on teachers and school staff represented by the Michigan Education Association and in-home caregivers unionized under the Service Employees International Union.

“We were targeting two very specific groups of public workers and providing them with materials,” Rose said.

More from this section

How the American revolt against Flock cameras mirrors the Boston Tea Party of 1773

Did you know it’s Hispanic Heritage Month? Only 1 in 3 do

Can ancient scything save a rare bumblebee?

She explained that they were particularly interested in connecting with caregivers in those metropolitan areas because they had heard the workers were in the process of forming a union.

“We wanted to let people know, hey, a union hasn't been here for a decade,” Rose said. “They're going to come in and take your money and not actually provide you representation because you haven't needed it for the past 10 to 12 years anyway.”

In Michigan in 2025, union members accounted for an estimated 13% of wage and salary workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics did not provide a breakdown of union members in the public vs. private sector.

The MEA calls itself the "largest and most influential statewide education union in Michigan," priding itself on advancing public education, collective bargaining and action, and giving workers a "seat at the table."

"MEA protects, advocates and advances the rights of all education professionals," it says. "We can only do that together, through the collective strength of educators. Your membership is important to all of us—and it’s valuable to you."

Rose said door-knocking gives the foundation both the opportunity to educate workers about their opt-out options and the chance to hear directly from workers about their experiences.

“There are real people that we’re getting to meet with real stories and lives and family members that they care about,” Rose said. “We take a lot of pride in knowing that every person we talk to, every worker we help, is a real person with a real story, and their lives matter.”

While the Freedom Foundation was door-knocking, Rose said unions were also conducting their own door-knocking campaigns.

“The union was actively trying to recruit people,” she explained. “Then we would come along and say, ‘Here’s what they are really doing. Here’s how much money they are going to take out of your paycheck. Here’s realistically what they can and cannot influence.’”

According to the foundation, once workers are informed about their options, a “large share” choose to opt-out. Rose said, in her experience, many just aren’t aware they even have the option to not be a part of a union.

“Workers were really excited and very grateful for our work,” Rose said. “We care very much about the real lives of these people . . . This was once painted as an imperative that you had to be in the union, but it is very much an option. A lot of people have been very grateful and feel more empowered in their workplaces.”