Local teachers union dues caught in tug of war.

Byline: Isolde Raftery

Mar. 1--Two summers ago, Vancouver Public Schools teacher Susan Wiggs withdrew from her union, saying she opposed what she perceived as the union's stance on same-sex marriage and abortion.

Now Wiggs is preparing to defend her decision next month in front of a Public Employment Relations Commissions board.

She's not defending her right to withdraw from the union, but rather where she's sending her dues money.

Public employees may withdraw from their union if their religion discourages union membership, but the dues of these so-called "religious objectors" must be diverted to a nonreligious charity agreed on by the union and former members.

"They were taking political stands that I cannot support, considering my faith," Wiggs, a Christian, said. "They were coming out in favor of abortion and homosexual rights. I didn't want to support them with my dues."

Wiggs' decision to withdraw was fine by the Vancouver teachers union, even though a union representative said the organization never released an official position on same-sex marriage or abortion. Where Wiggs and the union disagreed was where to put her dues.