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Union admonished about e-mail

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 11, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated October 11, 2008 at 12:14 a.m.

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A teachers union improperly used the Jefferson County School District's e-mail system to urge a "no" vote on three ballot measures, including one that would affect union dues.

School district honchos sent out their own missive, reminding employees they can't use the e-mail system to advocate a position on a campaign issue.

"Employees wishing to participate in a campaign activity should take personal leave and use personal e-mail accounts," the district warned.

The union message rankled Republican Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute think tank and the chief backer of Amendment 49. The ballot measure would halt the current practice of allowing government workers to have their employers subtract union or other dues from their paychecks on behalf of groups they belong to.

"I am glad to see that Jefferson County put a stop to this very quickly," Caldara said.

The e-mail was sent Wednesday by Kerrie Dallman, president of the Jefferson County Education Association. She used the union's e-mail account to contact association representatives.