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- "Paycheck Rights Watch"
- Evergreen Freedom Foundation asks union members for information
OLYMPIA (Friday, 3-24-00)--Evergreen Freedom Foundation is taking a gander at the seamy, political underside of Washington State's Unions, staff indicated today.
EFF says it has been fighting to ensure enforcement of Washington State law prohibiting involuntary payroll deductions for political causes and candidates. Dues often are taken from conservatives to fund liberal causes, and some unionized employees have complained.
Nailing down times, dates and places of paycheck pilferage is tough, but EFF feels it's worth the effort. To obtain critical documentation, the private group is seeking help from disenchanted union members.
"I...assure that the identity of any voluntary advisors to our research will be kept in confidence," said EFF's top investigator, Jami Lund.
Lund and EFF say the state's election process "is being tainted by contributions extracted from (unionized) workers without their authorization."
"Our efforts have uncovered how political activities of the Washington Education Association and other unions "dwarf anything tried by any formal political party," Lund told the Yakima Valley News.
While EFF doesn't oppose the legitimate work of unions, Lund says "Some union officials are reluctant to honor protections in the U.S. Constitution and state law that forbids the union elite from raiding employee's paycheck for politics."
Lund says current EFF research--"Paycheck Rights Watch"-- is aimed at exposing unions that force workers to finance union officials' electioneering.
He said unions reported spending $2 million for politics in 1998. He indicated EFF believes "millions more" are spent by unions to affect elections in unreported ways as well.
Lund wants names and contact info for any persons willing to give the scoop regarding 11 unions and the state's Labor Council. Unions include:
- Laborers International Union of North America
- Washington State Council of County & City Employees
- Washington Federation of State Employees
- International Association of Firefighters
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- Washington Public Employees Association
- Washington State Public School Employees
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
- United Food & Commercial Workers
- Service Employees International Union
"We also seek information about the Washington State Labor Council," Lund said.
Those who have the inside info are urged to call Lund at (360) 956-3482. Or email him by clicking on his phone number