Originally Published November 14, 2012
As I mentioned before, Waterville School District educators voted out the National Education Association as their workplace bargaining agent. This is a decision which makes sense given that the nationwide teachers union overcharges for workplace services to fund various political, marketing, ideological and charitable purposes. Dues are routinely over $1,000 per year, and the union has no obligation to disclose how the funds are spent.
Instead, they sought a local bargaining organization of their own making, “Waterville Teachers Leadership Council.”
The WEA fought to prevent it at the Public Employees Relations Commission, since what union officials do for a living is collect dues. However, the local teachers were allowed by PERC to proceed.
The control over workplace representation is much more tailored to the unique needs of Waterville educators, and dues are lower and they are very pleased with the service.
The Wenatchee World wrote a great story about the latest developments:
Waterville teachers quit union to form local group
Wenatchee World
November 13, 2012
“Justin Grillo, a third-grade teacher and a WTLC organizer. ‘We’ve finally escaped the WEA after a year of trying to declare our independence.’
Grillo said members of the new group hope to distance themselves from the state and national groups’ broader political tactics and agendas and the high costs of union membership dues.
Waterville is the third district in the state to create a local, teacher-represented association, Districts in Sprague and St. John also have such bargaining units.
The new group will also enlist with Northwest Professional Educators (NWPE), a non-union, nonpartisan association…”
