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February 28, 2007
No cause good enough?
In the latest chapter of the Washington paycheck protection case, we have a brand-new example of the lengths to which the union will go to cling to dues cash.
Susan Wiggs, a Vancouver school teacher, has been attempting since August 2005 to divert her union dues to a charity that fights sex trafficking. Under state and federal law, teachers and other workers can opt out of union membership by claiming religious exemption, and can send their union dues to a charitable organization. Susan Wiggs' local union, however, has refused to send her dues to the charity of her choice.
Wiggs' case against the Vancouver Education Association (VEA) was heard before the Public Employment Relations Commission on February 26, 2007, in Olympia. While the Vancouver Education Association agrees that she qualifies for religious objector status, it has refused to accommodate her charity selection. Wiggs would like her dues to go to Shared Hope International, which works "to prevent and eradicate sex trafficking and slavery through education and public awareness," according to its website.
VEA Executive Director Roy Maier refused, saying the organization was "not acceptable" to the VEA. Although Susan provided the union with documentation of Shared Hope’s non-profit, non-sectarian status, it has continued to block her from sending her union dues to Shared Hope.
That's right, folks: an organization fighting sex trafficking and slavery is deemed unacceptable. While I do enjoy watching a teachers' union publicly shoot itself in the foot, withholding aid to such a universally worthy organization really is a bit much. Aside from the union itself (and, of course, assorted allies), are there any charities acceptable to the VEA? I wish I could say I'm surprised, but given that the state union is trying to do an end-run around SCOTUS, I'm really not.
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