In the grand scheme of things, one worker challenging her union over the right to opt out can seem minor. But the story of a Washington State employee highlights the significant impact of standing up to union bullying.  

The worker, reluctantly represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE), formally demanded her freedom in April, only to be told she was required to continue paying dues until her next “opt-out window” opened in October 2025. 

It’s a despicable tactic the unions have employed since the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed six years ago that public employees could not be forced to join or pay dues to a union. In response, WFSE and other labor groups simply refused to process opt-out requests unless they were submitted during a union-designated annual two-week period.  

It’s demonstrably unconstitutional to recognize the workers’ rights only when you feel like it, but so far the courts have let unions get away with it.  

The Freedom Foundation deals with such machinations daily, recognizing them as dirty tricks meant to discourage members from ending their dues. The organization’s mission is to navigate these obstacles and ensure workers can exercise their rights at the appropriate times. 

WFSE, Washington’s largest state worker union, saw its membership numbers drop precipitously last year, losing about 700 members — which equates to roughly $700,000 in lost annual revenue.  

The trend is continuing this year, indicating a growing desire among state employees for financial independence. 

Lied to by her union, the worker reached out to the Freedom Foundation for help. And armed with the truth about union tactics, the organization encouraged her to challenge the misleading information.  

Through persistent effort and by contacting the right union officials, she confirmed that her real opt-out date was this October, just three months away. 

Her experience illustrates the broader efforts of the Freedom Foundation to empower workers in their fight against manipulative union practices. By providing the necessary support and information, we’re helping dismantle the barriers unions have erected to maintain control, promoting the fundamental right of workers to make independent decisions.  

Each victory against these tactics strengthens the resolve of workers across the state to assert their rights and opt out of unwanted union dues.