Unfair to force workers to support labor union

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

As an employee of the Commission on Governmental Ethics in the November 2002 election cycle, I received an eye-opening education on politics, governmental ethics and heavy-handed political organizations in the state of Maine. The Maine State Employees Association was one of those organizations that forced me to evaluate my political beliefs.

I had made the conscientious decision against joining MSEA many years before but couldn't help but notice their campaign contributions to Maine's Democratic Party candidates -- across the board. I questioned MSEA's ability to spend membership dues on campaign contributions and political causes and stood by my decision to remain a non-union member.

In November 2004, I again questioned MSEA's motives after a union member stood outside my state agency distributing "Kerry for president" brochures. I read another Kerry brochure on the bulletin board near my desk and again determined that I was not MSEA material and did not agree with MSEA's political interests and aspirations.

On April 11, I was notified by MSEA that as of July 1, 2005, I am obligated to pay a service fee as "a condition of my employment." If I refuse to pay this service fee to cover my share of "expenditures for representational activities" conducted by the union, I will be terminated.

I don't want to help fund an organization that invades my "political" space and contributes funds to political candidates whom I don't support. I don't want to pay "representational" fees for union services to fund grievance processes that breed mediocrity. How can I exercise my right to freedom of choice if my employer forces me to join an organization that supports one political party?

What comes next, register as a Democrat or join the unemployment line?

Gina Pelletier

West Gardiner

noforcedunionfairshare@msn.com