i work at a state funded private residential school in wyoming. all non child care related jobs go to elks club members.these jobs are highly sought after but never given to non elks. jobs like bus drivers,maintenence,chefs etc. these jobs are never advertised or offered to any non elks working at the school. is this legal?

Is the school owned/operated by the Elks?

no, but the director of the school is a elks club member. we are a private school but all our funding comes from the state as long as we meet all the state guidelines. all of our students are from wyoming. all employees receive the same benefits state employees do ie wyoming retirement, insurance, pay etc.

While these employees may receive identical benefits as state employees, is it fair to say that these employees are not members of any union?

we have no union. in fact no one at the school will discuss this topic for fear of being fired.

What's happening here is cronyism -- he's only hiring his friends/fellow lodge members. The issue is that anti-discrimination laws don't specifically outlaw cronyism.

Perhaps your only recourse is to contact your local state legislator and complain of the preferential, albeit legal, treatment afforded to the Elks members.

Maybe an inquiry from the director's source of funds will persuade him to be less transparent in his hiring practices if he thinks it may put said funds in jeopardy ... it is my only thought. :(