State union membership riddled with inequities

Saturday, April 30, 2005

They tell us that Fair Share payers have no rights; they are simply people who are required to pay for services. Well, if I have no rights, what services am I getting?

Union members don't get a Fair Share of free hotels and meals that the union representatives get when they go to conferences. While you are at work paying your Fair Share, they are out having a party.

Paying Fair Share is a stipulation of our job. We can lose our job. This is pretty good -- I have to pay to go to work. What ever happened to dedication and hard work being the determining factors of keeping your job?

People on numerous medications and struggling to make ends meet have to get a part-time job so they can pay for their medications and their Fair Share.

What about single parents with one income? Forty dollars a month can seem like a million when your children are hungry.

If you choose to join the union and you want income protection, if you have any imperfection at all, you are denied. Overweight? No can do, even though you are healthier than 90 percent of the people that already have it. Although, if you are a new hire, you can weigh 900 pounds. No questions asked.

What about people who are born with the disability of dwarfism? Sorry, unless you are a new hire, it won't happen, because your height and weight will never meet the guidelines.

Since I am being forced to either join the union or pay fair share, I should have the same rights as a new hire if I choose to join.

Becky Albair

Somerville