Teachers are among the many who have been absorbing some of the pain of this recession, in the form of furloughs or pay freezes, as local budgets shrink and hard choices are made between pay concessions and layoffs.So I can understand why some New London teachers, who are forgoing cost-of-living raises for the next three years, are chagrined to learn that officials of their union, the Connecticut Education Association, are contemplating increasing union dues.

So I can understand why some New London teachers, who are forgoing cost-of-living raises for the next three years, are chagrined to learn that officials of their union, the Connecticut Education Association, are contemplating increasing union dues.It's a bit of salt in the wound, coming from the same people who told you flat pay next year is the best you can expect.

It's a bit of salt in the wound, coming from the same people who told you flat pay next year is the best you can expect.And what of the managers and employees of the union? Will they be asked to share some of the pain, too? Or is a dues increase meant to finance cushy raises for the staff of a union that is recommending fiscal forbearance for its members?

And what of the managers and employees of the union? Will they be asked to share some of the pain, too? Or is a dues increase meant to finance cushy raises for the staff of a union that is recommending fiscal forbearance for its members?One New London elementary school teacher who pressed the Connecticut Education Association on some of these points didn't have much luck getting detailed answers.

One New London elementary school teacher who pressed the Connecticut Education Association on some of these points didn't have much luck getting detailed answers.The CEA treasurer, in part of an e-mail chain the New London teacher shared with me, in fact warned the teacher that it was going to be difficult to get financial disclosure from the union leadership.

The CEA treasurer, in part of an e-mail chain the New London teacher shared with me, in fact warned the teacher that it was going to be difficult to get financial disclosure from the union leadership.Some of the pointed questions the teacher has asked include why the union, with some 72 employees, pays more than $14 million annually in payroll expenses? And why is the union paying $860,000 a year in car leases?

Some of the pointed questions the teacher has asked include why the union, with some 72 employees, pays more than $14 million annually in payroll expenses? And why is the union paying $860,000 a year in car leases?"I'm pretty sure I'll be getting push back on some of the specifics you are asking for - although I want to re-iterate that I agree you should have this information," the treasurer wrote to the teacher back in January.

"I'm pretty sure I'll be getting push back on some of the specifics you are asking for - although I want to re-iterate that I agree you should have this information," the treasurer wrote to the teacher back in January.Soon after that, the promised push back began.

Soon after that, the promised push back began. In a series of e-mails to the teacher, CEA President Phil Apruzzese picked up the official line of response and became increasingly testy in answer to the teacher's persistent requests for more information about union spending.

In a series of e-mails to the teacher, CEA President Phil Apruzzese picked up the official line of response and became increasingly testy in answer to the teacher's persistent requests for more information about union spending."This is therefore my final communication with you regarding your request," Apruzzese wrote to conclude the dialogue, in a traditional letter dated March 9.

"This is therefore my final communication with you regarding your request," Apruzzese wrote to conclude the dialogue, in a traditional letter dated March 9.The union president, in his communications to the New London teacher, cited board policy to explain why he released only his own salary and the salary of the vice president - $158,000 and $138,000, respectively - and just the salary ranges for other managers.

The union president, in his communications to the New London teacher, cited board policy to explain why he released only his own salary and the salary of the vice president - $158,000 and $138,000, respectively - and just the salary ranges for other managers.Apparently, there is nothing in CEA policy to allow the president to disclose how many or what kind of cars the union is leasing for its leaders or what other perks they may be getting.

Apparently, there is nothing in CEA policy to allow the president to disclose how many or what kind of cars the union is leasing for its leaders or what other perks they may be getting.The union, Apruzzese made a point of telling the New London teacher, is not subject to Freedom of Information laws.

The union, Apruzzese made a point of telling the New London teacher, is not subject to Freedom of Information laws.As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, though, it must disclose its tax returns and the salaries of the top employees, a spokesman for the Center for Union Facts, which bills itself as a union watchdog, told me when I asked around about union disclosure.

As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, though, it must disclose its tax returns and the salaries of the top employees, a spokesman for the Center for Union Facts, which bills itself as a union watchdog, told me when I asked around about union disclosure.In fact, most unions are generally pretty transparent with members and often open their books to those who ask, the Center for Union Facts spokesman suggested.

In fact, most unions are generally pretty transparent with members and often open their books to those who ask, the Center for Union Facts spokesman suggested.And why shouldn't they?

And why shouldn't they?After all, especially in the case of a teachers' union, the members' salaries are all a matter of public record.

After all, especially in the case of a teachers' union, the members' salaries are all a matter of public record.Shouldn't they have detailed information about the ways in which their dues are used to pay the salaries and benefits of those who represent them?

Shouldn't they have detailed information about the ways in which their dues are used to pay the salaries and benefits of those who represent them?The CEA issued a statement from the union president, when I asked about the frustrations of some New London teachers and the specific e-mail exchange about disclosure.

The CEA issued a statement from the union president, when I asked about the frustrations of some New London teachers and the specific e-mail exchange about disclosure.The association, the president's statement said, operates as a "representative democracy" with members electing teaching colleagues to make decisions about salaries and finances.

The association, the president's statement said, operates as a "representative democracy" with members electing teaching colleagues to make decisions about salaries and finances.He said he complied with board policy in releasing salary ranges and specific salaries. He also noted that the association complies with all federal and state reporting requirements and publishes an annual audit report.

He said he complied with board policy in releasing salary ranges and specific salaries. He also noted that the association complies with all federal and state reporting requirements and publishes an annual audit report.OK, but what about all those car leases? And why does the summer leadership conference cost $383,000?

OK, but what about all those car leases? And why does the summer leadership conference cost $383,000?Those seem like reasonable questions for dues-paying members to ask.

Those seem like reasonable questions for dues-paying members to ask.As for raises, Apruzzese said in his statement that he and the union vice president have announced they won't be receiving an increase in the new budget that commences July 1. He said no decisions have been made yet about staff salaries.

As for raises, Apruzzese said in his statement that he and the union vice president have announced they won't be receiving an increase in the new budget that commences July 1. He said no decisions have been made yet about staff salaries.I was especially intrigued with the president's reference in his statement to the union as a democracy.

I was especially intrigued with the president's reference in his statement to the union as a democracy.Sometimes, in democracies, stonewalling is a sure path to leadership change.

Sometimes, in democracies, stonewalling is a sure path to leadership change.This is the opinion of David Collins.

This is the opinion of David Collins.