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can’t union member request a refund of their portion of their dues going for this fiasco?

Yes, and no. Yes, in the sense that they can request a refund of the "official PAC monies" (which, out of the $700+/year dues I was paying in 2002, when I withdrew from the Wisconsin Teacher's Association, was about $17); no, in the sense that the "quiet political monies" (i.e. union dues used for "voter education materials" [carefully worded to maximize the attractiveness of liberal positions], "get out the vote efforts" [ditto], etc.), which estimates place between $200-$400 out of the $700+, won't be refunded.

The only way to keep all of the money out of union hands (at least, until Gov. Walker's God-send of a reform package--I left the public schools before that took effect, so I'm not sure how that plays out, now) is (was?) to file as a religious objector, and have all of your union dues diverted to a charity.