Last week, the Freedom Foundation contacted bus drivers and paraeducators affiliated with Public School Employees of Washington (PSE SEIU 1948) with mail and email surveys and a unique Tax Day-themed mailer that sent a clear message that they can save hundreds of dollars by stopping their dues.
The union has been hemorrhaging members ever since. In just three days, 11 angry members opted out of PSE — and they had some terse comments on their way out the door.
One bus driver shared, “I feel PSE SEIU Local 1948 has been co-opted by a group seeking to support themselves rather than the entire body. I am also under the impression that our field rep allowed this to happen.”
Based on several other comments, it sounds like bus drivers and paraeducators are receiving precious little support from their union.
The beauty of workers exercising their First Amendment right to opt out of union membership and dues is that it empowers them to hold PSE accountable to its members.
On average, PSE is currently losing 40 dues paying-members per month, putting money back in the pockets of public employees and out of the union’s coffer. That must be demoralizing to PSE.
