State union wins as taxpayers, some workers, lose

Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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About 4,000 state workers -- and most state taxpayers -- lost something under a provision of the new state budget.

A little-noticed budget provision requires state employees to pay dues to the Maine State Employees Association, whether they want to or not.

Dues are currently $9.10 a week -- $472 a year. There are about 11,000 workers on the state payroll. About 7,000 of them already pay the union does. About 4,000 have declined to do so.

The new budget requires all workers to pay at least a portion of those dues -- called "representational fees" -- even if they do not want to be in the union. Those fees exclude whatever portion of union dues would go toward political activity. That eventually will be a $1.4 million annual windfall for the union.

The windfall will come from the wallets of employees who had the chance to make voluntary contributions but decided not to. It seems unjust and unfair that they no longer have a choice.

Gov. John Baldacci defended the provision as fair because the union negotiated pay raises for all state employees, not just union members. We understand the governor's view; he is a Democrat and enjoys the union's political support.

But that is hardly a comfort to state workers who wanted nothing to do with the union.

The agreement also is bad news from a taxpayer's perspective.

It strengthens union officials who bargain with the state about salaries and contracts. That could make it more difficult for the state to negotiate cuts in the size of the state work force, which very likely will be needed if Maine even expects to significantly reduce taxes.

A bigger union war chest is not a step toward smaller, more efficient state government.