VSEA is aware that the Freedom Foundation–fronting as the organization “Opt Out Today”– is sending mailers urging members to stop paying union dues.
VSEA members should be aware that this is a coordinated effort, funded by billionaires, with the ultimate goal to weaken unions across our country so bosses can more easily suppress employee wages and benefits. In return, the billionaires become even wealthier.
These letters sometimes falsely claim to be legal notices, but know that members are in no way obligated to respond to any letter urging them to leave their union.
Your union will always fight for you, but every member who leaves makes it more difficult for VSEA bargaining teams to negotiate strong contracts with fair wages, good benefits, and workplace safety protections. See the benefits of VSEA membership.
Who and what is the ‘Freedom’ Foundation?
The Freedom Foundation is a front group for corporate special interests. They promote policies in state government that are very bad for public services and state employees.
The ‘Freedom’ Foundation opposes raises for state employees.
“It makes little sense to promote a pay raise for state employees who are satisfied enough with their jobs that 90% or more of them choose to remain employed by the state.”– Do State Employees Need a Raise? Amber Gunn, June 2014, Freedom Foundation Blog
The Freedom Foundation opposes COLAs (cost of living adjustments).
“There are not resources available just sitting around and waiting to be spent on this . . . 65% of state employees already get annual pay increases and don’t need cost-of-living raises on top that those . . . The real question is, is the wage we’re paying for the services the citizens are receiving the right wage or not?” –-‘Freedom’ Foundation staffer Jami Lund, KING5 VIDEO 2014.
The ‘Freedom’ Foundation also opposes automatic step increases.
“Policymakers should delay automatic pay increases for state employees… This also shows that public sector employees are held accountable and don’t brazenly plunder the public purse.” –‘Freedom’ Foundation founder, Bob Williams, co-author of the ALEC policy manual for state legislators, ALEC Budget Toolkit.
The ‘Freedom’ Foundation opposes paid sick days.
“Consumers, workers, and employers are all negatively affected by mandatory paid sick leave policies . . . Evidence indicates that requiring employers to provide paid sick leave benefits produces few appreciable benefits and even raises costs,” ‘Freedom’ Foundation Maxford Nelsen. July 2015 Spectator
The ‘Freedom’ Foundation wants to end public employee pensions.
“Everything should be on the table . . . states should consider replacing their defined-benefit plans with defined-contribution 401(k) plans,” Bob Williams, founder of the “Freedom” Foundation.
Learn more by visiting the ‘Freedom’ Foundation facts website.
What can we do?
- Be on the lookout for mailers and emails from the ‘Freedom’ Foundation or “Opt Out Today”
- Share this information with your colleagues and fellow VSEA members.
- Get involved in your union!
- Download and post VSEA flyers!
See Also:
Questions About This Page?
Please email vsea@vsea.org.