QUICK FACTS
June 20, 2003
Follow the Money
Last week we published information about the mandatory dues teachers in our state pay to the Washington Education Association. So what happens to that money?
We know quite a bit is used to pay generous salaries for WEA officials. But let's look at the overall picture.
The WEA reports that it has 72,406 full-time members. Each of those members pays an average of $745 in dues each year. This means the union's national, state, regional and local affiliates collect approximately $53.9 million from Washington teachers each year.
After a close review of the WEA's financial books (conducted on behalf of teachers during the union's annual arbitration process), EFF concludes that only about 20 percent of that amount is spent on traditional, "chargeable" union activities like collective bargaining, contract negotiation and grievance adjustment.
What do the WEA and its affiliates do with the remaining $43.2 million?
Good question.
