The union may claim your dues money goes toward representing you, but the truth is, NYSNA has a history of lining its own pockets instead.
If you were a member from 2002 to 2006, your dues would have lined the pockets of one man—former NYSNA Chief Financial Officer John Daley. During a four-year stretch, Daley embezzled over $1 million in union funds, right from under the noses of NYSNA leadership.

1 https://www.troyrecord.com/2006/06/09/nysna-staffer-accused-of-embezzling-1-million/