Catholic teacher exempt from union, judge rules

[LiberalFighter]

A Roman Catholic teacher whose religious beliefs conflict with the political positions of her labor union cannot be forced to pay dues, a federal judge ruled.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Frost’s ruling broadens the category of employees who may opt out of unions because of religious beliefs beyond Seventh-day Adventists and Mennonites.

In his ruling last week, Frost struck down the Ohio law that held only members of religions that “historically held conscientious objections” to union membership could opt out. The judge said anyone with demonstrated religious beliefs should be exempt from paying dues to unions whose positions they find objectionable.

The teacher, Carol Katter, refused to pay dues to the National Education Association, claiming she opposes abortion rights and that view is conflict with the union’s position on the issue. She sued the State Employment Relations Board after the panel ruled against her claim for a religious exemption.

Source: Tacoma News Tribune
Source: Columbus Dispatch

Gregory L Frost Bio Bush appointee

[baldguy]

1. I guess dead Iraqi children don't count.

[seriousstan]

2. What the fuck are you talking about? The Catholic Church has come out against the war.

But don't let that stop your idiotic non-sequiters.

[baldguy]

11. duh

Supports Bush & the war - against abortion.

Conservative Catholics overwhelmingly voted for Bush - twice. It's idiotic not to be able to see the obvious hypocrisy.

[bricolage]

3. I'm confused.

Can't the teacher just refuse to be in the union?

[deadmessengers]

4. Only in "right to work" states.

In "Union shop" states, you can be compelled to join a union as a condition of employment.

[bricolage]

5. Oh wow. I didn't know that.

That doesn't seem right, particularly in the field of education. Does it have to be the NEA or can it be a competing union?

[LiberalFighter]

8. Having competing unions is better for the employer than the employees

[DeSwiss]

6. So, if the religious are exempt from paying dues to unions...

...shouldn't that also disqualify them from receiving union negotiated pay rates too???

:shrug:

[msongs]

7. hell no he will take whatever he can get from other people's labors -

the catholic church has a long history of taking money from poor people to glorify itself.

msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[DeSwiss]

12. It seems to me as though...

...this is simply another example of where people use religion as a mean to "opt-out" of secular/social participatory acts, while at the same time benefiting from the efforts of those who do. Its a sort of "social theft," that goes unpunished under the cover of god.

The same could be said where blatant political activity is on-going (MASS Resistance, Spirit One Christian Center, and the Catholic Church weighing in on gay marriage legislation in parliaments across Europe come to mind right away, as well as some others). All the while enjoying tax-exempt status and diplomatic status in the case of the Vatican.

Both of these types of acts are anti-democratic, and antithetical to constitutional government. As is most religion, with its kings and heavenly hierarchy.

While we, "the great unwashed" pay the freight....

[happyslug]

16. But this is NOT a Catholic Position

The issue was that the UNION supported Abortion Rights, but the Catholic Church does NOT. The Union Member wanted the right NOT to give to the Union for its position on Abortion on the ground the Union Member was a Catholic and the issue was abortion rights. The other religions mentioned have OPPOSED UNIONIZATION, while the Catholic Church SUPPORTS the right to Join a Union. This Judge took the ruling that if you belong to a religion that Oppose unionization you do NOT have to pay union dues and EXTENDED that ruling to permit this Catholic Union Member to NOT pay union dues. This is an expansion of the Anti-unionization rules, NOT an expansion of any thing Catholic. Catholic Doctrine is being used to weaken unions, but this is NOT an attack against the Union by the Catholic Church (The Doctrine being used is the Catholic position on Abortion Rights).

The best solution around this issue is for the Union to drop any reference to Abortion (if possible). As a general rule Unions do NOT need to address the Abortion issue, thus most unions do NOT address Abortion. The only exception I can think of is if an employer is supplying Medical Coverage. This is RARE, most employers provide Medical INSURANCE or if the employer is large enough pay an Medical Insurance Company to manage its own payment of medical bills. In either case abortion is generally NOT included being a "Voluntary" medical treatment as opposed to Generally accepted medical care. As a general rule Abortion is NOT a union Issue.

[LiberalFighter]

9. And they should not have a grievance process or paid holidays

They should be the first to be laid off regardless of their position.

[DeSwiss]

13. TN is one of those "right to work" states....

...and when GM built the Saturn plant here in the 80s the factory then began paying the workers the same rates and benefits that the union had negotiated. Eventually the union lost out...

[LiberalFighter]

17. What the hell you talking about?

What is wrong with workers being paid the same rates and benefits?

How did the union lose out?

[DeSwiss]

20. What I mean is....

...those workers who opted out of joining the union, were being paid almost as if they were in it. Eventually more workers began to question the value of being in the union and they pretty much abandoned it since management (at least back then), gave benefits equal to the union's contract.

Of course TN being so anti-union for such a long time, there was not much history for workers to see through this tactic. It didn't occur to many workers (I don't think), that the only reason they were getting paid as well as union workers was only because the union was there bargaining with GM to begin with. So non-union workers got union level wages and management got a weakened union....

[LiberalFighter]

21. By saying more workers you are implying that Saturn is mostly non-union

or that there are more than just a handful. I don't find any support for that assumption.

It isn't management giving the non-union workers the same wages and benefits. It is negotiated between mgmt and the union. If employees are in a unit that is not represented by the union then it is up to mgmt to decide what those wages and benefits will be.

If they don't belong to the union they don't get to vote for local union officers and their representatives. They don't get to attend membership meetings. They don't get to run for any office in the local union. They don't get to vote on strike issues. They don't receive strike benefits when there is a strike.

[Solo_in_MD]

10. There may still be an agency fee provision

and union members are allowed to with hold dues not used for immediate representation purposes like PACs and organizing. There was a SCOTUS decision on this as well this term (9-0)

[DeSwiss]

14. The article says on further....

"A Roman Catholic teacher whose religious beliefs conflict with the political positions of her labor union cannot be forced to pay dues, a federal judge ruled..... The teacher, Carol Katter, refused to pay dues to the National Education Association, claiming she opposes abortion rights and that view is conflict with the union’s position on the issue. She sued the State Employment Relations Board after the panel ruled against her claim for a religious exemption."

I wonder if her "religious beliefs" conflict with the Church's position on the use of birth control pills and/or condoms? Aren't they also condemned by her Catholic Church??

S'pose she's worked that one out though.....

[Solo_in_MD]

15. Like I said, I think its the NEA portion, not the local which does the basic bargaining and agency

fees would still apply.

[LiberalFighter]

19. Woman should at least pay fair share portion.

Even the national provides bargaining and representation services that benefit the local and their members.

Our regional and international provide regular training for elected officials that help them do their job of bargaining and representation. They also provide servicing reps to aide the local bargaining committee in resolving grievances and bargaining contracts. International has the resources when research is needed.

[Solo_in_MD]

22. That is what an agency fee is

[LiberalFighter]

18. UAW does not use dues for PACs

Union members cannot arbitrarily withhold their dues. They must follow procedures. Dues that are not paid to the local union donated to an approved charity.

[Solo_in_MD]

23. IIRC there has been some argument over who should approve the charity but generally things

get worked out. The unions I have been in have really discouraged that for obvious reasons

[LiberalFighter]

24. I support unions discouraging others opting out of membership yet receive benefits

Objectors should not have the right to divert those dues to a charity of their choice. The choice should be limited to a few approved. For instance a person should not give to a charity that is religious. They should not give to a charity that is anti-union.

IMO union objectors are bottom feeders.