By SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Thursday, April 26, 2007

enlarge Staff photo by Andy Molloy

State employees listen Wednesday to testimony before the Legislature's Labor Committee about a bill sponsored by Rep. Scott Lansley, R-Sabattus, to exempt state employees from joining labor unions.

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The workers, nearly all of whom wore large green buttons that said "Vote Yes, LD 1604, Freedom of Choice," told the Legislature's Labor Committee they don't think they should be fired for refusing to pay the fee.

"The bottom line is, people should not be forced to subsidize an organization they don't agree with," said Michael Smith of Gardiner, who works for the state's information technology office.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Scott Lansley, R-Sabattus, would disallow the state from requiring state employees to join the union. It also would not allow the state to require employees to pay union dues or fees.

The debate over the "fair share" payments dates back to 2003, when the state and union signed a contract that required all new hires to join the union or pay a portion of union dues.

Two years later, the new contract required all employees -- not just new hires -- to join the union or pay the dues.

That's when a group of employees, many of them longtime state workers, decided to fight the provision. To date, about 200 have not joined or paid their "fair share," said Tim Belcher, executive director of the Maine State Employees Association.

Those workers will soon get another notice informing them that they must pay or face being fired.

The union represents about 10,000 state workers.

"In 2005, the longtime free riders were required to pay their fair share," Belcher told the committee.

The fee for nonunion workers is $4.65 a week, which is less than half of what union members pay. It covers "all expenditures germane to collective bargaining," Belcher said.

While urging the committee to reject the bill, Belcher said the measure would not have the legal power to change the contract that's currently in place. The state and union are in the midst of negotiating a new two-year contract.

Committee members appear to be split on the issue, with some asking clearly prounion questions, and others voicing support for the workers who want to be able to choose whether or not to join the union.

The committee will take a vote on the bill at an upcoming work session.

Lansley, who sponsored the bill, said he felt that it was unfair of the state and the union to require existing state employees to join or pay partial dues to the union. It's one thing if it's a condition of employment, he said.

"I am against forcing people to join an organization as a matter of principle," he said.

Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, said she heard from many constituents who wanted her to support the bill.

"It wasn't part of their contract when they were hired," she said.

State worker Julie Churchill, who works for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, said she supports the bill because she doesn't want her money going to the union and its national affiliates.

Also, as a supervisor of four people, she doesn't think it's right for her to be forced to join a union that represents the people she supervises. "The fees go for other things I don't believe in morally or ethically," she said.

Maine State Employees Association President Dana Graham said those who don't want to join or pay are looking for a "free lunch." He said it's not fair for those who pay their dues to support those who don't.

"They'd get to enjoy all the rights included in their union contracts -- the pay raises, the benefits and the improvements in working conditions that unions secured on their behalf -- and they'd get it all without paying a cent," he said.

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com