NATIONAL UNION REFUNDS WASHINGTON TEACHERS

Marsha Richards ^ | 1-23-01 | Marsha Richards or staff

[doug from upland]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2002

National union refunds Washington teachers

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) has just learned that the National Education Association (NEA) - one of the most powerful unions in the nation - is sending thousands of Washington state teachers a refund for money taken from their paychecks and spent on political purposes.

The NEA issued refunds amounting to eight percent of the union's annual $126 membership dues to about 4,000 non-member teachers this month.

"Apparently NEA officials heard the footsteps coming up behind them after their state affiliate got caught intentionally breaking the law," said Bob Williams, president of the Olympia-based EFF. "They knew their chances of losing in court were too high."

The Washington Education Association (WEA), NEA's state affiliate, was recently hit with $770,000 in penalties for illegally spending money taken from non-member teachers on politics. The union was ordered, by way of a permanent court injunction, to send refund checks totaling $180,000 to the 4,000 teachers involved, and to reduce mandatory non-member fees by eight percent.

The penalties are the result of a lawsuit against the WEA by Washington's Attorney General (AG). The lawsuit, the AG's second against the union, was sparked with an investigation and complaint filed by EFF, a long-time advocate of free speech and fair elections.

The NEA was not a party to the Washington lawsuit.

"This is a major victory in the battle for free speech and fair elections, but it is only the first step," said Williams. "Our investigation leads us to believe the NEA spends nearly 100 percent of the dues it collects on activities not related to collective bargaining, contracts, or grievances."

EFF believes that no teacher should be forced - against their will through mandatory dues and fees - to support the political goals of union officials.

[doug from upland]

Not good enough. They must account for all the money. It must be more than 8 percent.

[Concerto in D]

You're right, but it's a start! Thanks for posting this; I really needed it today. Spent the whole afternoon answering angry e-mails from Washington State legislators for telling them to knock off the spending. I have SUCH a headache!

[Balding_Eagle]

A pebble has begun rolling down the hill. Get out of the way, avalanche to follow.

[doug from upland]

This needs to be repeated across the country.

[CPT Clay]

Bump for later

[doug from upland]

Does anyone have an idea of really what the 8% should be? A teacher friend of mine just got back almost $300 for about $700 she paid in total dues.

[doug from upland]

It is a start and they must be really worried. Combine this with the assault by Mark Levin of Landmark Legal and the unions must be peeing their pants.

[doug from upland]

Okay, Marsha, you are activated. Join us.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Great post. My wife's a teacher (2 years) and in numerous conversations/arguments with her cohorts I've managed to find one or two Pubs who would love to get their dues back.

[doug from upland]

Okay, Bob. Make your name count. Nail 'em.

[EdReform]

*Education News bump....

(Let's Help Nail the Teachers Unions -- It is National FReep Time)

[BOBTHENAILER]

I started spreading the article around today. Monday I'll be in touch with a Christian group who represents teachers and see if I can light the fire.

[doug from upland]

Good idea. We need to get it on talk radio. I sent a message to flipper today on the Sean Hannity show to suggest that EFF be on his radio show.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Great idea. Hannity would be a huge spread across the country. The further it flies, the faster it spreads. Would love to see it go viral on us.

[Angelique]

Has there been any progress about this issue? I would be happy to try to get this on our local radio show.

Bush wants part of the CFR to include full disclosure about this scam within the bill. Do you think he added this knowing full well the dems would never support this provision?

[doug from upland]

I sent along the info about the group to Hannity's radio producer, Flipper. If we all asked the talk shows to have on a representative of EFF, perhaps we could help push the cause along.

[Angelique]

Then, I shall keep you posted. Thanks for your work on this issue.

[doug from upland]

SUMMER'S LATEST POST -- teachers unions are losing influence in Florida --- way to go, Jeb!

[summer]

And, Jeb and GOP lawmakers have done good things for FL teachers. Way to go! :)

[summer]

Doug, Here is a sincere suggestion for what I believe would be a lively debate on Hannity -- ask his producer to invite the head of the FL teacher's union, Maureen Dinnen, and a rep from Gov Bush's office, so that Maureen can "explain" WHY the FL teacher's union FAILED TO OFFER GOV BUSH an interview appointment for a possible endorsement. WHY? He has done a lot to help FL teachers. Why can't the FL teachers find out about that, and vote on who THEY want to endorse for the FL gov race? Why does Ms. Dinnen and her hand-picked committee get to decide the endorsement? I am serious. I would like to know the answer to that question. And, I would like to see someone from Gov Bush's office TELL TEACHERS on TV all that he has done for them -- which he did not get to say in an endorsement interview by the union.