Contact: Jami Lund, Project Manager
(360) 956-3482

PERC hearing addresses union disclosure

(OLYMPIA) – An open hearing is scheduled before the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning to address increased protections for employees who are subject to mandatory union dues.

On March 24, 2003, several state employees petitioned PERC for an agency rule change that would do two things for public employees:

1) Require large unions to tell members how union dues are spent.

2) Require all unions to notify employees of their right to pay only for workplace representation as an alternative to union membership.

Currently, state regulations permit public sector unions to keep financial records confidential.

Private sector unions are already required by the U.S. Department of Labor to report financial information. They are also obligated under National Labor Relations Board rulings to notify workers of their right to pay only for workplace representation costs.

PERC has agreed to consider next steps on the proposed rule change. The hearing will provide an opportunity for state employees to offer feedback about union disclosure and notification of workers' rights.

The open hearing will be held in the Second Floor Conference Room at the Evergreen Plaza Building (711 Capitol Way) in downtown Olympia.

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org