The first time that happened the AG negotiated a deal behind closed doors that was a relative slap on the wrist. In the strongest of terms I object to that settlement, and urge the AG to not repeat that fiasco. It clearly did NOT deter WEA from further gross violations of law as described in PDC case 01-002.

At a bare minimum, the WEA should be subject to the following:
• A thorough investigation by the AG’s office of the depth of the violation rather than relying upon WEA officials’ claims.
• The teachers whose paychecks were improperly reduced should receive a check from the union for the full amount of funds used for political purposes in the past five years plus interest, plus penalties.
• WEA officials should be severely penalized to deter the ongoing abuse of non-member agency fee payers.
• In the future, WEA should be required to reduce the fee for these agency fee payers rather than keeping their money unless requested.
• Finally, all agency fee payers should receive a letter of explanation, a refund check and an apology from the WEA officials.

If the WEA officials do not agree to these terms, the state should gain these terms by aggressive court action and force the WEA to pay all legal costs of such litigation.

Anything less will be a betrayal of the public trust reposed in the state government, in this case the office and person of the Attorney General of the State of Washington.

Your public and immediate statement of your intent in regard this matter is urgently requested.

James H. Kendall, LCDR, USN (Ret.)
Silverdale.