The Freedom Foundation is an action-oriented think tank. We don’t just sit around and write fancy white papers. We’re on the front lines literally taking the fight against government unions door to door.
Our door-to-door “Opt-Out” project was launched in 2013 following the Harris v. Quinn ruling, but before we could show up on the front doors of SEIU “members,” we first had to defeat the union in court over a public records request for their names.
This initial victory cost SEIU more than $100,000 in attorney’s fees, a number that pales in comparison to what was to come.
Within 24 hours of obtaining the list of exploited workers who fall under Harris V. Quinn, we sent out a mailing and began automated calls. SEIU was forced to spend thousands in counter-messaging.
SEIU executive vice president Tricia Schroeder informed independent contractor Cassandra Clemans that “SEIU considers themselves under attack by the Freedom Foundation.”
From TV ads to attending childcare provider early achiever trainings to handing out literature and speaking with providers about their right to opt out of paying union dues, we’re proving the words of Ray Ceaser, Local 17, to be prophetic when he stated, “…the Freedom Foundation will be ongoing and relentless in the year to come.”
On June 1, we commenced our plan to hire canvassers to personally travel to every corner of the state to visit providers and educate them about their right to opt out. The response we’re getting is overwhelming. People are excited to learn they have the right to stop being exploited.
The “scheme” is up.
Our effort is causing more than just headaches for SEIU; we’re hitting them where it hurts. We are costing them hundreds of thousands of dollars in dues and expenses and, as we expand the walking program, the financial impact on SEIU will grow exponentially.
I like to think with each opt-out form sent in, a union boss somewhere loses his job.
Our efforts are not going unnoticed. “There is a concerted, mobilized effort to bust our union,” wrote Melba Halgren, political chair for SEIU 925. “The Freedom Foundation is contributing to this in a big way.”
SEIU will try anything to keep its money-making “scheme” alive. Just this morning, I was out canvassing and spoke to an individual provider who showed me a new mail-order catalogue being sent out to providers in hopes of enticing them to stay in the union.
Because the union does next to nothing for its members – unless you count bullying and using intimidation tactics – it’s now resorting to bribing providers with group discount ploys.
The provider told me she doesn’t make enough to purchase any of the items in the catalogue. She said the union takes too much from her checks as it is. She then got angry and pointed out that her dues were spent to print and mail the magazine.
Right when I thought she was done venting about the union wasting her money, she launched into a tirade about the union using her dues to rent hotel rooms for providers and putting on conferences in an attempt to spread union “propaganda” to more people who can’t afford to be exploited.
When she was finally done complaining about SEIU, I asked her if she would be interested in helping to educate other providers. Her response was an unqualified yes.
One more opt out before lunch.
If you’re in the arena and you’re not on the side of the Freedom Foundation, brace yourself. We’re not waiting for an invitation. The best defense is a good offense, and we’re always on offense.
If you’re interested in learning more and helping with our walking program, please contact me by email at MHayward@myFreedomFoundation.com.
We will not stop going door to door until every member has been informed of their right to opt out of the union “scheme.”
