By Nathan Benefield
Published: Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, 8:55 p.m.Updated 10 hours ago
Teachers from across the commonwealth, including from the Pittsburgh area, have joined together to protest being forced to finance a political organization that works against their own views and values. That organization is the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), the state's largest and most influential teachers union.
This is how Rob Brough, a teacher in the Ellwood City Area School District, reacted to being forced to fund the PSEA: “Their agenda and political ideals are counter to what I believe, and it is a kick in the teeth every time my dues are withdrawn from my hard-earned paycheck and handed off to some organization that I would never contribute to of my own free will.”
Why such strong language? The PSEA itself provides the proof of its political nature. It reported spending $3.2 million on political activity and lobbying last year alone, and its political action committee (PAC) donated another $2 million directly to candidates.
Unbeknownst to most voters, taxpayer-funded resources are being used to sustain this behind-the-scenes political infrastructure. School districts, along with state government and municipalities, collect union dues — even nakedly political PAC money — by deducting them out of workers' paychecks, just like taxes. The state then bundles this money and cuts a check directly to union coffers.
Teachers themselves are often unaware of how this unfair system works against those the PSEA purports to represent. Robin Fought, who teaches in the Avon Grove School District in Chester County, commented, “To my surprise, our school district resources as well as my tax money are being used to deduct not only union dues, but political action committee funds for PSEA-PACE that go to candidates that I do not support.”
While teachers, state workers and other government employees can opt out of paying full union dues, many are still required to pay “fair share” fees just to keep their jobs.
The PSEA may be the largest of Pennsylvania's government unions, but it's far from the only one. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Service Employees International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers spent another $1.6 million on lobbying last year, and an additional $2 million in PAC contributions.
No one disputes the right of teachers and government workers to organize and join a union of their own free choice, or to contribute to the campaigns and causes they believe in. But, likewise, no worker should be forced to join or contribute to union politics, nor should taxpayer resources be used to support any political activity.
Thankfully, nearly 80 percent of Pennsylvania voters agree that unions should not be able to use taxpayer resources to collect their members' dues, according to polling conducted this summer. The same poll found that even 75 percent of union members said unions should collect dues and political money directly from members, not use the government to do it for them.
It simply isn't fair to force workers and taxpayers to support partisan politics. It's time to end automatic dues deduction and free our teachers and government workers from an unfair system that violates their right to use their paychecks to advance their own political views.
Nathan Benefield is director of policy analysis with the Commonwealth Foundation (CommonwealthFoundation.org).
Don't like it?
ReplyDeleteComplain to former Mt. Lebanon Commissioner, Allegheny County Councilman Mike Crossey.
Or union supporters Matt Smith and Dan Miller.
Next story?
Any bets on whether our State Sen. Matt Smith (D) and State Rep. Dan Miller (D)would sponsor, co-sponsor or vote for bills to end the practice in PA?
ReplyDeleteThis article in the PG brings up and interesting subject.
ReplyDeleteChancellor of Pa. State System says university cuts are regrettable but necessary
October 11, 2013 12:30 am
By Mary Niederberger / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Mr. Brogan said it is difficult to draw more students at a time when there are fewer high school graduates in the state. One plan he has in mind to increase enrollment is to make it easier for students to matriculate from community colleges."
Here's the question. If there are fewer high school graduates from Pennsylvania schools, why are school districts clamoring for more and more from Harrisburg? Take MTLSD for instance.
Year after year the district's enrollments have been falling. But at the same time, expenditures have been skyrocketing!
The number of students fall, test remain basically flat, and the number of and the compensation/benefits continue to go up way above the CPI.
What's wrong with that picture?
Why does the Chancellor and PA Universities understand, but our school board and the administrators and teachers' union don't recognize the problems?
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/chancellor-of-state-system-says-university-cuts-are-regrettable-but-necessary-707069/
Hopefully Smith and Miller, we quit believing the union and PSBA propoganda and start looking at public school spending before doling out ever increasing mountains of money!
2:36 could be that transplants from states like, say, uh...CA think everything like property is cheap around here. Pay 1st asking price cause its soooo cheap from where they are from without really understanding our local economy.
ReplyDeleteWould Mr. Brough raise his brow so much if the union was supporting the SAME candidates he supported?
I suppose you are referring to Mr. Brogan. I don't know a Mr. Brough.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, what are you talking about and what does it matter if he's from Montana, California or Mississippi?
He's making 'business' decisions on economics, enrollments and customer needs and desires.
If enrollments are down it doesn't matter if the professors' union is comprised of democrats or republicans.
If high prices are driving away 'customers' (students) because that $100,000 degree makes the graduate a hughly expensive hamburger flipper what is the point?
Why shouldn't the universities start schools that train students that Pa Businesses can use?
This isn't about Ds or Rs, its about doing wbat is fiscally prudent and smart!
I'm betting you're a teacher 4:30, trying to protect the status quo.
No 6:08. I am not a teacher. Maybe i should be though. I absolutely meant Mr. Brough, as he was quoted in the article. I was in jest using his last name "Brough" as a homophone for raising his "eyebrow".
ReplyDeleteI was simply pointing out that Mr. Brough didn't like union proceeds going to candidates he did not like and wonder if $ was going to a candidate he liked would he overlook what money is spent where.
You asked why schools were asking for more money from Harrisburg.
What I meant by saying it could be based on people that don't understand our local economy like some that may be from other high income states like CA. For example I have met people that have moved here from California or other more expensive areas of the country. They feel like they've won the lottery by moving here. A cheap house to them is one I find some locals strive to afford. Non-locals are used to spending lots of money, asking for greater compensation. Isn't the commissioner previously from CA also the same one who asked for a dog park, millions in new fields and a new pool? Isn't that commissioner the same one who wants to institute PAYT because it worked where she was from (CA)?
I get that enrollment is decreasing. Test scores, IMO can be artificially inflated as a whole one way or another. That takes understanding of statistics and how to manipulate those facts.
I am in agreement that more fiscally prudent decisions need to be made regarding education. I also think teachers n Mt.lebanon make a bundle if in the district long enough. I am not disputing teacher's worthiness here.
There was a time when teaching families made no money, pittances were thrown at education. Educators and schools "made do" with what they had. Now things seem to be swinging the other way. This roller coaster will be difficult to slow down, especially with a "more is better" mentality.
From my understanding universities will turn down scholarships for a qualifying student in say engineering, but offer one door a liberal arts degree. To me, that means universities are funneling students into the degree programs they want to fill. I suppose if they don't meet their quota of liberal arts students, they will lose that money.
So, who is really controlling the sale of $100,000 degrees that can't be used?
Gone are the days when higher education meant an expansion of the mind. Now it is just a check in the box.
Understand now. You threw me off by referring to the time stamp of my contribution on the cuts in the state universities while talking about the original post.
ReplyDeleteThe Chancellor is trying to change the university system of maintaining degree programs that no one wants, so we agree on that subject.
As for your CA transplant theory... I'm not so sure if I agree on that one. Remember the CA comissioner's husband tried to hold back spending and institute a policy of fiscal responsibility.
Unfortunately, the commissioner IMO has joined the more local officials like Capucci, Birks, Cooper, Remely and Posti that see no limits on spending.
I see how I threw you off 11:05. I think were arguing about 2different things. I know the transplant theory isn't widespread, but understandably there is a different kind of...ideology. Ill have to finnesse my point when less tired.
ReplyDeleteThat's OK 1:33, I was tired when I read your comment and didn't fully comprehend it.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say we're arguing, I think we actually agree on many things.
For instance-- one of the immigrant CA commissioners or her blog cohort actually said something like -- we're here to build a sense of community.
It was either on their blog or in an article on the Reallebo girls in MTL magazine, can't remember which.
Anyway, that comment struck me as odd because when I moved to Lebo many moons ago, i did so because I wanted to be a member of the MTL community!
I didn't feel a need to create one, I liked the one already here!!!!
Another question, how come MTL magazine has never done a story on Elaine Gillen? A someone you shold know?
Her blog was and still is more successful than the Reallebo girls blog.
3.01 pm, perhaps if Elaine Gillen were employed by the Law firm of Reed Smith she would be highlighted, and highlighted, and highlighted,.........
ReplyDeleteMTL magazine did do a story about my "lucrative business" about four years ago. You know, the one that I was mocked about here a couple of months ago. I really don't want a story about me. But thanks anyway.
ReplyDeleteElaine
This is one thing the current PA government could do in a heart beat. End Compulsory Union Dues.
ReplyDeleteJust like this guy says, these dues are used to fund political activities that the "contributor" may not approve of. You would never get away with this at a GE or large corporation.
When you buy a product from GE you have to know that some of the profit they make off of you might go to fund candidates and causes (PACs) that you may not approve of. In which case you will have a choice to make. Continue to buy from GE or find an alternative.
For Union members there is no choice.
PA government loves those teacher dues coming into their political campaign coffers. The pols get the money, the teachers union gets the spoils. Any questions about what PA government is going to do about compulsory union dues should be referred to the suggestion box. Or you can contact you PA elected official if you can figure out his email address.
ReplyDelete". . . $3.2 million on political activity and lobbying last year alone, and its political action committee (PAC) donated another $2 million directly to candidates."
ReplyDeleteHow many Pennsylvania politicians does $5.2 million buy?
Does this number include contributions from teachers to local school board campaigns?