A group of state workers have filed suit to end forced union dues. Under governor Gregoire The WPEA/UFCW and WFSE/AFSCME have gone from about $4 million to over $33 million a year in dues. Forced Dues were only allowed IN EXCHANGE for non union workers, previously 77% of the workforce, being allowed to vote on contract ratification under a signed written agreement. The state and unions then coordinated, in writing, denying non union workers a vote.
The WPEA and WFSE contracts and forced dues were ruled illegal by the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) due to denying non union workers a vote. The Commissioners, appointed by the governor, took the cases on reveiw, stripped the remedy (but not the findings of illegal behavior), and ruled instead the unions MUST APOLOGIZE for illegal behavior. PERC Commissioner Marvin Schurke then retired, and his daughter Judy Schurke was appointed Director of Labor and Industries by Gregoire. Nice. True.
The worker suits seek to have the contracts ruled illegal, refund dues paid or taken, and void statutes that conflict with workers rights to vote on mandatory dues. This case is about abuse of state office to reward public unions who buy political influence and sell out workers rights. The WPEA/UFCW and WFSE/AFSCME are not registerred with the Wash State Dept of Revenue, believed unique among unions. State tax investigators were stopped from pursuing registration of the unions. All businesses making $12,000 a year or more are required to register. The union contracts specificlly waive workers rights to state and federal overtime laws, the 40 hour workweek, and rights to file a grievance. These unions fail to fairly represent workers, instead buy political influence to maximize revenue through political deals, when they are not supported by workers. Workers who try to organize to vote out or resist forced unionization have been investigated, demoted, fired, and denied the ability to distribute communications under RCW 42.52.560 by the state.
Washington State is a leading edge example of the union/political state. State workers and taxpayers should visit www.fairwa.org and www.freeconscience.org to join actions to vote out forced union dues, or join suits. We welcome public support and comment.
Posted by DennisRedmon at October 17, 2008 11:10 AM | Email ThisWe have been waiting for some "REAL" justice since this whole thing began. Maybe we will finally get it in a "REAL" court and in the "Court of Public Opinion" --- Someone once said "Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere!" And this was absolutely an injustice against ALL state employees as well as ALL Washington State tax payers.
We were deliberately and methodically denied our constitutional and individual right to an honest and fair vote. Now taxpayer money is being funneled through state employees in the guise of "dues" that go right back into the political arena. Maybe the "REAL" courts will see that justice is finally served!
And don't forget about decertification, folks. Right now, that is the only legal way to stop paying money to these unions - AND - it is absolutely our right! They are taking our money and they still choose not to listen to us. Go to the websites mentioned above and get the decertification effort underway in your agency. It's your right. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
Posted by: DB4Justice on October 17, 2008 10:31 PMI do believe that PERC and Marvin Schurke acted to prop up the improper and illegal forced unionization of Washington employees in violation of the PERC mission to prevent unfair labor practices and provide appropriate remedy's. The unions "illegally" denied non union members notice and a vote which was required in a written agreement according to PERC. Forecd dues, (union security) were only allowed into the contract IN EXCHANGE for allowing all non union workers to vote on the CBA according to PERC. The PERC Commission, which is appointed by the governor (though not Gregoire for these Commissioners)then overrules the PERC order that the appropriate remedy for illegally denying the 77% non members that vote is to deny the unions the $29 million a year in additional dues that forced dues brought them. The PERC Commission instead let the workers rights to free association under RCW 41.80.050 be stripped, ruled the unions violated those rights illegally, but left all workers stuck under the union thumb, with the state funelling millions a year to the same unions. This is a highly political decision, and is a disgrace for PERC which exists to protect workers rights.
Again, the statement that Judy Schurke is Marvin Schurke's daughter is retracted with apologies to all parties.
Posted by: Dennis Redmon on October 18, 2008 11:53 AMI can't refarain - extortion. This unlawful taking of wages without consent is nothing more than outright extortion. Pay me or be fired. There is no room for this type of corruption in Washington State government.
I pray the judiciary isn't as well paid by the uions as is the legislature.
Posted by: Ken on October 18, 2008 08:55 PM