1. The 11 month delay is unreasonable
2. Annual filings is illegal.
I didn't see anything in the article that suggested it was unreasonable to require Mr. Robey and others to explain how their religious beliefs conflicted with NEA activities. I guess that is because the ONLY reason allowed for diverting funds away from the NEA is for "sincerely held religious beliefs"
If you are not religious, you are out of luck. If you don't like NEA political activities, but it doesn't violate your "sincerely held religious beliefs", you are out of luck. Out of luck, unless you are willing to lie to get qualified.
It is easier to get divorced than to end your association with the NEA.
Also, only "the portion of the union dues unrelated to collective bargaining " can be diverted away from the NEA. What happens if collective bargaining is against your "sincerely held religious beliefs"? I guess you are out of luck again. I'm willing to bet that the NEA inflates the costs of collective bargaining as yet another way to get their hands on more money.
The problem with all of this is the freedom of association clause of our constitution. If you have freedom of association, then you must have freedom of disassociation. A teacher is not free to disassociate from the NEA. I wish the lawsuit would focus on the "REAL" civil rights of the teachers.
NEA membership should be like your Blockbuster Video Membership. You must sign up to join and can quit at any time, no questions asked.