Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Rick W. Allen demanded answers from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on Jul. 7 following reports that teachers’ union dues may have been used to finance the production, publication, and promotion of a book from which she personally benefited.
In a letter addressed to Weingarten, Walberg and Allen said, “The prospect that rank-and-file educators’ dues may have financed a project that generated private financial gain raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and fiduciary responsibility within one of the nation’s largest labor organizations.”
The letter continued: “Recent reporting and analyses of AFT’s federal labor disclosures raise questions regarding whether union funds, personnel, contractors, and other resources were utilized to support the development and promotion of your book while you simultaneously retained a portion of the resulting royalties and proceeds. According to these reports, AFT expended substantial funds on consultants, legal services, publication-related expenses, fact-checking services, photography, and other activities connected to the book.”
Walberg and Allen also wrote, “The Committee also has a responsibility to ensure that organizations representing American workers operate transparently and that union members receive a full accounting of how their dues are utilized. The allegations surrounding the financing and proceeds relating to the book warrant careful examination, and the Committee expects your full cooperation.”
The House Education and Workforce Committee manages federal programs concerning education, labor, health care policy initiatives such as student loans or worker protections; it serves in the legislative sector with jurisdiction over education- or labor-related matters, according to its official website
This is a press release from Congressman Tim Walberg’s Office.
