Bill would require union fees from state employees

[Omaha Steve]

I'm an AFSCME MEMBER (Local 251). Some in Nebraska have tried to pass a fair share bill. No luck yet. But to allow non members in this right to work state to get union negotiated benefits and protectect from the union is unfair! We have to represent a fired non union member for example.

OS

http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_052223817.html

Nonmembers get same AFSCME representation as those paying dues

Kevin Spradlin
Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — Legislation that would permit Maryland’s public employee unions to negotiate and collect a “fair share” fee from nonmembers who benefit from union representation is scheduled for a Maryland Senate committee hearing this week.

Senate Bill 264, cross-filed with House Bill 298, is scheduled for a 1 p.m. hearing Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee. The legislation, introduced at Gov. Martin O’Malley’s request, is backed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Jim Bestpitch, president of the Western Maryland Central Labor Council of the AFL-CIO, said it’s unfair that non-dues-paying state employees receive the same representation during the collective bargaining process that full dues-paying members receive. This would help level the playing field, he said.

Certain state employees “would have the opportunity of joining the union or they would have to pay their fair share of what it costs to represent them,” Bestpitch said. “It’s a good bill and it’s fair. If we have to represent them, then they should have to pay for what it costs to represent them.”

Bestpitch said non-dues paying employees are “piggybacking off their brothers,” receiving the same benefits without their share of the financial burden.

The act is vigorously opposed by the Maryland Classified Employees Association, a statewide employee organization. MCEA officials insist employees should have the right to decide which, if any, union they pay to join.

FULL story at link.

[billyoc]

1. It's about time those freeloaders started paying.

I say backcharge them for their entire time of employment.

[thunder rising]

2. Of course this sucks for the freeloaders ... just like the rest of us like 40 hr wks and vacations.

[zbdent]

3. better yet ... after representing them,

hand them a bill for "legal fees" ...

you know, like not having insurance ... all well and good, until you (or your kid) get sick ...