Like many unions representing public employees in Washington, the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 8 brings its members to Olympia to lobby state lawmakers for increased funding.
The Freedom Foundation recently obtained a document entitled “Messaging tips” that OPEIU Local 8 provided its members to help guide their conversation with legislators this session.
One side of the one-page handout included a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts.” Most “Do’s” were pretty innocuous, such as, “Talk about why you became a state employee,” “Talk about your values and how they translate to your work,” and “Speak from the heart.”
What if an OPEIU member valued the efficient and responsible use of tax dollars and wanted to share concerns about their department with lawmakers?
Under the “Don’t” section, OPEIU members were instructed not to “complain about your agency or management” or “talk to legislators about waste, fraud and abuse.” The handout went on to explain,
It is not in our interest to complain about bad management, waste, fraud or abuse to legislators. Our time with legislators is valuable and should be spent talking about things they can take action on or do something about.
Think government unions pay any mind to the interests of taxpayers and efficient government? Think again.
