Ads attack MEA-MFT members

Attack linked to CI-97 (SOS) initiative

An out-of-state, anti-union group called Center for Union "Facts" (CUF) ran a series of TV and newspaper ads in Montana in early September. These ads are a direct attack on MEA-MFT members, both public employees and educators.

There is nothing "factual" about the ads, or the "information" that appears on CUF's web site. They don't even have our name right, nor the names of MEA-MFT's officers.

The ads were clearly created to discredit MEA-MFT and other public employee unions as spokespersons in the fight against CI-97 - the so-called SOS initiative that caps state government spending.

Read MEA-MFT's reply to the attacks

Read MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver's letter

How do we know? A CUF representative presented the ads earlier this August at the annual meeting of Americans for Limited Government, the out-of-state group that is pushing SOS initiatives in Montana and elsewhere.

This CUF rep stated that the ads were developed to discredit unions in SOS states. The same ads also ran in four of the six states facing SOS initiatives: Montana, Oregon, Michigan, and Nevada.

The other two SOS states are Maine and Nebraska, and they are bracing for the same nasty ads.

View the ad on the CUF web site here

Read newspaper articles about the CUF ads

Read two MEA-MFT members' letters to the editor

The TV ads ran for nine days in Montana beginning Aug. 16. Full page newspaper ads showed up in the Missoulian and elsewhere. We believe CUF is planning additional media buys for future weeks.

Who are these guys? The Center for Union Facts (CUF) is run by Richard Berman, who has a history of organizing front groups like CUF to attack public interest organizations and government agencies that work for the public good.

Wealthy New York resident Howard Rich, who has already spent $7 million to qualify CI-97 and similar measures in Montana and other states, is suspected to be a funder of this CUF effort.

We're in good company: The issues Berman and his front groups have fought against include:

• Minimum wage legislation
  

• Universal health care
  

• Bans on smoking
  

• Tighter anti-drunk driving legislation
  

• Public reports on the dangers of obesity
  

• Limits on the sale of junk foods in public schools

Other groups attacked by Berman and his front groups in ads include:

• American Medical Association
  

• Center for Food Safety
  

• Centers for Disease Control
  

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving
  

• Center for Science in the Public Interest
  

• EarthSave International
  

• Friends of the Earth
  

• Harvard School of Public Health
  

• National Association of High School Principals
  

• Surgeon General of the United States

The real facts:

• MEA-MFT is a grassroots democracy. Leaders are elected by members at the state and local levels. MEA-MFT members make the policy of the organization at the annual Representative Assembly.

• MEA-MFT has worked for over a century to improve public education in Montana.

• MEA-MFT is governed by a Board of Directors. Board Directors are elected by the members in the regions they represent. The Board determines the salary of the statewide elected leaders who work full time on behalf of the members.
  

• Members decide MEA-MFT's legislative objectives.
  MEA-MFT does not spend dues dollars to support political candidates. Members may voluntarily contribute to MEA-MFT COPE, which helps elect candidates who support education and public services.

• MEA-MFT's recommendation process for candidates is member-driven. Members decide which candidates will support policies that support public education and public services.