Did she give back her union-won raises?

In Elizabeth Pearson’s March 5 Fence Post letter, she incorrectly accuses teacher unions of spending dues money on political activity. In fact, the preponderance of dues money is spent on collective bargaining.

Political action funds (PACS) spent on campaigns and other political activities are derived from strictly voluntary contribitbutions. There is no coercion on members to support or not support political activity.

Ms. Pearson states that during her teaching career she “quit the teachers union”. Did she then voluntarily give back the gains the union in her school district won for her and all other teachers, both union and nonunion?

If she did, she would be consistent in her beliefs and actions. If not, possibly a more negative conclusion could be formulated by educators and readers of her letter.

Joe Purpura

Wheaton