Ford worker challenges UAW union dues

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Dec 23, 2009
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DETROIT -- A Ford worker has filed charges against the UAW and the automaker seeking a partial refund of his union dues.
Todd Lemire, a tool-and-die maker in Dearborn for 16 years, filed charges last week with the National Labor Relations Board. He is receiving free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Foundation.
 
If Lemire and the foundation prevail, the case could encourage other workers to take the same action and hinder the UAW's fund-raising for political purposes. It would be a symbolic victory for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican legislators who pushed through Michigan's right-to-work law in late 2012.
The UAW in Michigan may automatically deduct dues from members' pay through the Sept. 15, 2015, expiration of its current contracts with the Detroit Three automakers. Under future contracts, workers in the state will be able to opt out of paying any union dues.
 
Lemire sent a letter to Ford and the UAW on April 7 saying he will pay dues to cover core activities performed by the union such as collective bargaining, contract administration and grievance processing, but he objects to the portion that supports the Democratic Party.
 
When the UAW-Ford national labor contract expires next year, Lemire plans to opt out of paying dues altogether, under right-to-work legislation.
For now, Lemire is using his Beck rights, referring to the 1988 Supreme Court decision that found unions cannot force nonmembers to pay for non-core union activities.
 
Lemire has recouped the $98 he was owed over three months, but remains frustrated because Ford continues to deduct the full dues amount from his paycheck, then the union reimburses him. He feels this violates the National Labor Relations Act and his rights, which led to the charges.
"No worker should be forced to jump over hurdles to exercise their right to refrain from union affiliation," said Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Foundation. "This case underscores just how important Michigan's Right to Work law is for workers."
Beck rights have been available to workers for decades, but few invoke them, said Kristin Dziczek, director of the Labor & Industry Group at the Center for Automotive Research. She does not think this case will incite other workers to file similar claims.
As for union members ceasing to pay dues after the UAW contracts expire, Dziczek said there could be a drop in dues-paying members. But she noted that the UAW has not suffered significant declines in membership or dues at locals in other right-to-work states, such as Indiana.
 
The UAW did not make anyone available to comment.
 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/08/21/ford-worker-challenges-uaw-union-dues/14371081/
 
http://www.dailynewsen.com/business/ford-workers-challenge-to-uaw-union-dues-stirs-up-right-to-work-issues-h2562287.html
 
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Negotiate wages and benefits? That would be nice. Never happened since US Airways was acquired in 2005. Not for the pilots anyway.
 
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IMO, The Federal Government or State Governments have no real place at the bargaining table. You think that the NLRD, NMB, RLA were enacted to "help" you"? That's the same kind of help that the Indains got.
 
You heard wordfs like "Fairness" when these laws/rules were enacted. Who enacted those rules? The same Banksters and Crony Capitalists you have now.
 
Right to work covers half the equation. Why do you think secondary strikes, roving pickets are prohibited? Why are Unions subject to all kinds of reporting rules? Simple, because the thugs of government needed a way to subdue you and they sold you down the river without a freaking paddle. WHY? You you would bask in the false security of your union while they bought off your leaders.
 
You take away all the stupid government "rules" and allow the free market to prevail and watch how long it takes to bring Wal-Mart to its knees.
 
First off, I'd bet a ton of $$ that this Dopey bas-tard is a TOOL being used by this National right to work coalition,...EXCEPT..the Dude doesn't have a friggin'  CLUE he's being USED !
 
Joe the Plumber -2....anyone ?
 
If he's not, I wonder where he buying his set of WEEKLY Tires from,...for His Automobile  !!
 
What were  the  words in the late Jim Croce song ?  Something about.."Don't tug on Supermans Cape,....Don't SPIT in the WIND"................
Hmmm !
 
So you advocate the use of force against someone whose views you don't like? 
 
A thug is a thug wethether they are the "Gun Thugs" hired by the Coal Operators or just your garden variety thug in Organized Labor.
 
SparrowHawk said:
So you advocate the use of force against someone whose views you don't like? 
 
A thug is a thug wethether they are the "Gun Thugs" hired by the Coal Operators or just your garden variety thug in Organized Labor.
 
No sparrow, not advocating violence of any form.
Having said that, it wouldn't be too hard to envision that the DUDE who is leeching the bennies obtained by the union over many and long fought contracts, would NOT find anyone (Least of all the union parking lot security guards) in the MASSIVE Auto plant parking lots, to come to his aide while he struggles with 4 brand new tires beyond repair !
 
In other words, I'm very sure your familiar with the old saying......... "You've WON the Battle, BUT LOST the WAR" !
 
Need the ol' Bear say more ?
 
SparrowHawk said:
This is what happens when a Labor Organization takes matters into their own goon hands.
Great article. In a day of dronecams and 4G equipped webcams, stuff like this will continue to get taped and shown to the public. Maybe they'll result in prosecutions, maybe not. But at least there will be proof.
 
Guess no one remembers Pinkerons and Wackehnhut who beat, maimed and killed workers trying to unionize.
 
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