Seattle schools were dealt a devastating blow today as a result of state-forced collective bargaining practices. A Dallas-based nonprofit, National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), was prepared to award a $13.2 million grant to assist Seattle schools with their Advanced Placement programs in math and science, allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school

A full 22% of that grant money was to be merit-based pay to teachers who participate in the specified Advanced Placement programs – that’s $2,640,000!

The problem? NMSI wanted to pay the money directly to participating teachers, but Washington state law mandating collective bargaining between the UNIONS and school districts would not allow for such a pay scheme. Negotiations to resolve the conflicts between the grant and the law failed.

The EFF provides the scoop in this short video.

Who is the EFF? See Evergreen Freedom Foundation at Ballotpedia.org

Here is what the Evergreen Freedom Foundation has to say about it.

Here are a few highlights we found when we searched the 2008 first quarter reports by client:

* The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees reported $480,000 in expenses.
* Change to Win, a coalition of seven unions including SEIU, reported $80,000 in expenses.
* The National Education Association reported $284,964 in expenses.
* The AFL-CIO reported $540,000 in expenses.

There are a few limitations to the reports. The amounts listed are estimates, and only organizations that spend at least $10,000 on lobbying during a quarter must report. Changes to the law in 2007 have forced organizations to disclose any affiliates that contribute $5,000 or more in any three-month period. For more information on the LDA and recent, related litigation, click here and here.

While these reports are not comprehensive in their approach to transparency, they at least provide another window into the inner workings of labor union political priorities and spending. Union members and the public should use the reports for increased union accountability.