Teachers union penalty increased to $770,000

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — A Thurston County Superior Court judge has added $190,000 to a list of penalties and fines against the Washington Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union.

Judge Gary Tabor ordered the union to pay the state attorney general’s legal fees for a July lawsuit over the union’s use of nonmember fees to fund political causes. The suit stemmed from a complaint filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Tabor previously ordered the union to pay a $400,000 fine and to refund $180,000 to teachers who aren’t members but who pay a fee because the union represents them during collective bargaining.

Tabor’s Friday ruling on legal fees means the union’s total in fines, fees and refunds is now $770,000.

The union is appealing the case, spokeswoman Debra Carnes said.

"We still believe that we have always adhered to the law, and will continue to do so," she said. "We are making the changes that are being asked of us or required of us."

Refunds will go out despite the appeal, she said.

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