General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMeet the “right-to-work” movement that will break the working class
by Roland Zullo April 5, 2015
An effort to weaken organized labor is sweeping the Midwest, a region with a rich history of union activism.
The strategy takes advantage of a curious provision of US labor law, section 14 (b). It allows states to pass laws that prohibit unions from negotiating the collection of union dues with employers, and more specifically, from compelling workers covered by the bargaining agreement to pay the unions as a condition of employment.
Under labor law, employees that do not pay dues enjoy the same wages, benefits, and protections as those who do. A labor union that discriminates against someone covered by the contract (and who doesnt pay dues) is liable to a duty of fair representation lawsuit.
Corporations call these laws right-to-work (RTW). Unions prefer the term right-to-freeload (RTF).
Last month, Wisconsin became the latest (and 25th) state to pass legislation that allows union-covered workers to refrain from paying dues. Legislators in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and New Mexico are agitating to following suit.
What do these laws mean for organized labor?
more
http://qz.com/376411/meet-the-right-to-work-movement-that-will-break-the-working-class/
herding cats
(19,549 posts)And sadly, there's a sizable amount of the population who are blindly supporting it even though it bodes ill for them as well.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)employees still had to pay the agency fees. Is that incorrect?
James48
(4,416 posts)under right-to-freeload, freeloaders pay nothing.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)Scab is a much more accurate word
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)hopemountain
(3,919 posts)union busters with this type of legislation.
sure, there are those who will take advantage of the option to not pay union dues.
but, there are many who are happy to support their unions with a portion of their pay. workers who do pay union dues will, in time, be able to discern those who are willing to reap the benefits of union representation and not pay to their fair share to support the unions.
as a longtime former dues paying CWA, CSE, single mom and daughter of a 30+ AFL-CIO union member - i was proud to pay my union dues. i believed it was an obligation to support the union's efforts to protect my safety on the job, reasonable pay & a living wage, and fair benefits with representation in negotiations. that's a huge enchilada.
it seems politicians are more interested in divisive politics than in the rights of workers and would rather set the workforce and corporate practices back 100 years. those horses have left the barn.
kimbutgar
(20,871 posts)Those who pay their dues gets help those who don't pay dues are on their own.
Got harassed by a supervisor if you paid your dues you get help if you didn't, oh well you deal with it.
If you are not paid correctly for overtime and you get someone to go after the employer if you didn't pay your dues, oh well you're on your own.
Got hurt on the job, if you are a dues paying member you get someone to advocate for disability pay if you didn't pay dues, oh well deal with it on your own.
Make those who don't pay dues realize they screwed themselves.
James48
(4,416 posts)under the duty of fair representation, the Union is under obligation to treat non-dues payers the same.
kimbutgar
(20,871 posts)Mustellus
(328 posts).. a higher one for the people who pay dues....
Lower for the freeloaders.
WillyT
(72,631 posts)cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)Only way I can see the unions protecting themselves is by making sure all contracts they agree to in the future stipulate that the companies will pay the union dues for any employee that opts out.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)Snarkoleptic
(5,995 posts)Here's a notification I just received from the local Democratic Party-
Stop Rauners assault on the middle class
On Tuesday, April 7th, the City of Woodstock will vote on a resolution supporting the repeal of prevailing wage, creating right to work zones and destroying workers compensation laws. This is a direct assault on the middle class and working families. We need to make sure our voices are heard by these elected officials who are supposed to represent the best interests of the citizens.
So after you VOTE this Tuesday, April 7, please attend the City of Woodstock Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at 121 West Calhoun Street, Woodstock, IL.
Any person wishing to address the City Council must approach the podium, be recognized by the Mayor, and provide their name and address for the record. You do NOT have to be a Woodstock resident to address the Council.
United We Bargain
Divided We Beg
Chan790
(20,176 posts)We let the filthy GOP pass a union busting law in 1947 over a Presidential veto by Truman...then we spend 68 years not repealing the damned thing? When we have both chambers of Congress again...that better be a priority now.
It's literally everything the GOP could think of at the time to cripple organized labor...and we've never even tried to repeal the damned thing. I will support any Democrat that runs on a platform including repealing that shitstack of an act.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,317 posts)Taft-Hartley has basically hamstrung the union movement in this country. It is what allows for RTW laws in the first place.
raven mad
(4,940 posts)Is a repuke.