It's a First Amendment "freedom of association" issue.
No government employer may require membership in any organization (including a union) as a condition of employment, anymore than they can deny employment based on organizational affiliation.
Anyone working for any represented classification under a government employer has the right not to join the union under which there is a labor agreement; any current member has the right to resign membership - in all 50 states.
Those working under a represented classification may still be required to pay fees to the union to cover the cost of negotiating and maintaining the contract. Non-members in a "union shop" are still entitled to representation in grievances, arbitration, etc. though they may lose the ability to vote in union elections or to receive other benefits specific to membership in their Local or National Union.
Is YOUR union full of crooks, liars and incompetents? Are YOUR best interests not represented by your Local, National or International union? Have you been threatened with censorhip, censure, fines or discipline for violating "union rules"? Is your union Board of Directors a virtual kangaroo court stacked with old-time insiders who squash dissent within the ranks? Want to feel free to speak your mind about your representative union's shortcomings without fear of being penalized for doing so?
Then QUIT.
http://www.nrtw.org/a/a_3_s_a.htm
http://www.mackinac.org/8293
-jw
No government employer may require membership in any organization (including a union) as a condition of employment, anymore than they can deny employment based on organizational affiliation.
Anyone working for any represented classification under a government employer has the right not to join the union under which there is a labor agreement; any current member has the right to resign membership - in all 50 states.
Those working under a represented classification may still be required to pay fees to the union to cover the cost of negotiating and maintaining the contract. Non-members in a "union shop" are still entitled to representation in grievances, arbitration, etc. though they may lose the ability to vote in union elections or to receive other benefits specific to membership in their Local or National Union.
Is YOUR union full of crooks, liars and incompetents? Are YOUR best interests not represented by your Local, National or International union? Have you been threatened with censorhip, censure, fines or discipline for violating "union rules"? Is your union Board of Directors a virtual kangaroo court stacked with old-time insiders who squash dissent within the ranks? Want to feel free to speak your mind about your representative union's shortcomings without fear of being penalized for doing so?
Then QUIT.
http://www.nrtw.org/a/a_3_s_a.htm
http://www.mackinac.org/8293
-jw
2 comments:
Jeff old pal, need I remind you that I am a pretty darn good example of why a union is a GOOD THING?
I'd most likely be out on my ass by now without the union!
I have to go with Adri on this one. And you too, Al.
I never said unions are a bad thing. However, not all unions (or all Locals) are inherently good. When an organization starts to serve itself more than it serves its members - that organization is no longer fully functional.
And as a fellow admirer of the First Amendment - I'll remind you of the inherent right to Freedom of Association - which is what's at issue here.
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