Dear Union Brothers and Sisters,

AFT Top of Utah Local President Karen Russell, Chief Steward Tracy Townsend, and I met yesterday with
Zane Woolstenhulme, Business Adminstrator, and Zach Williams, PR Specialist, in an attempt to resolve
differences and reinstate payroll deductions for Union dues in the Ogden School District. A positive result of
the meeting, payroll deductions will be resumed as required by the negotiated agreement. The change, AFT
dues for certified employees will be deducted 11 months during the year and 20 pay periods for classified
employees. This means that you will receive some paychecks that will not take out union dues. The district is
mandating that all labor organizations' dues will be deducted on the same dates.
The second issue we discussed in our meeting was the assertion from the Ogden District that AFT is in
violation of Utah Code 34-32-1.1 which prohibits members' dues being used for certain political activities. Our
Union is in full compliance with State and Federal Law. AFT has a PAC fund that is seperate from members'
dues. Any political activity that AFT engages in such as candidate endorsements, lobbying fees, campaign
functions are paid out of this account. Contributions to the AFT PAC fund are voluntary. Members contribute
from their personal banking accounts through automatic withdrawl, personal checks, or cash donations.
Smith and Woolstenhulme are misinterpreting the law by stating that paid union leaders that lobby at the
capitol, endorse candidates, and assist with political campaigns are engaged in political activies. Because such
leaders are paid from member's dues, they claim that it's a violation of Utah Code. Their interpretation of the
law is false and it's a stretch at best. There's a larger agenda here. These actions are the same actions taken
by organizations such as ALEC, the Koch Brothers, and several of our own legislators that would like to
destroy unions and privatize schools. By attacking AFT with this allegation, Ogden District has also attacked
policeman, firefighters, and public employees across the state that belong to their respective labor
organizations which engage in political activities such as lobbying for their members and the public good.
The irony of this situation is that Smith and Woolstenhulme are attempting to cripple the organizations that are
a powerful voice at the capitol for public education, public services, and the working class. Do Smith and
Woolstenhulme plan to lobby in behalf of Utah students during the 45 day session and interim sessions? Does
Smith plan to lobby in behalf of Utah students with his lack of expertise and experience as a classroom
teacher?
Smith continues to show his true colors of how he values students, teachers, and public education. It's quite
obvious that he opposes any support given to candidates running for school board. This is not the first time the
Superintendent has showed his displeasure with AFT's support of a candidate. AFT endorsed Mr. Turner
Bitton for the Ogden City Council (http://www.standard.net/Opinion/2013/10/21/Turner-Bitton-is-the-choice-of-
teachers.html). In a meeting last Fall, the Superintendent lambasted me for my letter to the editor and AFT's
endorsement of Mr. Bitton. He leveled strong words and statements, laced with veiled threats towards our
union, for endorsing candidates that were in public opposition to his position as Superintendent. Since that
time, AFT members have come under attack by being put on remediation, involuntarily transfered, and
reprimanded unjustly. AFT is currently engaged in more grievance proceedings in Ogden District than in
any other district in Utah. Another letter to the editor was written by Matt Ogle, OEA/WEA Uniserve director,
in support of Mr. Bitton and announcing OEA's endorsement of his run for city council
(http://www.standard.net/Opinion/2013/10/28/Bitton-s-youth-plan-gets-kids-involved-with-community.html).
When I asked Smith if he had the same discussion with Matt Ogle about OEA's endorsement of Mr. Bitton,
accompanied with the same strong language, Smith stated that Ogle received the same treatment and strong
words. Speaking to Mr. Ogle during a phone conversation, Mr. Ogle stated that he never had any such
conversation and Smith never discussed the endorsement with him personally. Another example of Smith's
agenda and integrity.
From the few examples I have shared, there are plenty more I could list, it's obvious that Smith intends to
keep attacking our Union. So how do we protect our members in Ogden and everywhere across Utah? We
have to increase the size of our Union. There are 30,000+ public employees working in public and higher
education that are unaffiliated with any labor organizations. The potential is there to bring them into AFT so
they can be afforded the protection, benefits, leadership opportunities, and voice they deserve as AFT
members. My staff and I do all we can to support and build our union. We can't reach 30,000 people on our
own. I'm pleading with you to reach out to your colleagues and share our stories of why we joined AFT. There's
no need to sell them on the union, just share your story about how you benefit from being a member of our
union. We can become the largest education Union in Utah if we work together to build our union family. If
you're available, I encourage you to attend our Organizing Training Session on Tuesday July 29th at our Union
Office (105 East Fort Union Blvd. Midvale, Utah) from 9:00 - 2:00. I will send out an official reminder next week.
At the training you will receive the tools you need to share your story with others and assist in building a
stronger union and coalition of workers.
Yours in Solidarity,
Brad Asay
President
AFT Utah