For years, Michigan public school educators did not have a choice. If they wanted to teach, they had to be a member of the Michigan Education Association, or at least pay a fee to it. That changed in March, when the Wolverine State adopted a right-to-work law barring such employment contracts. Teachers could now opt out of the union if they desired.

Except that it isn’t as easy as saying “I quit.” MEA, the state branch of the National Education Association, only allows members to do so one month out of the year and strictly enforces this rule. Miss it — even by a little — and not only are you still a member, but you owe another year’s worth of dues, too.