Teachers Face Deadline For Union Dues Refund

Fri., Nov. 13, 1998

Washington teachers who have elected not to join their union must file for a refund of a portion of their dues by today in order to receive a $175 rebate from the Washington Education Association.

While the rebate is an annual event, the amount could be greater this year due to a recent federal court settlement that said the union illegally used dues on political and other non-bargaining activities. Nonmembers still have to pay dues as a condition of employment but do not have to pay for nonbargaining activities.

As it does every year, the WEA, a state affiliate of the National Education Association, notified those teachers who have resigned from the union that they should file objections in order to receive a refund. This year that amount will come to about $175, said Milton Chappell, an attorney with the National Right to Work Foundation.

This deadline does not affect members, he said.

If members choose, at any time they can resign from the WEA, file objections on how the money was used, and receive a pro-rated refund based on their date of resignation, Chappell said.

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