State has betrayed unionized employees

Wednesday, May 4, 2005

Why did the Legislature pass, as part of the state employees' raise and benefits, a rule that benefits not those employees but the union? After all, if the union really were so good for state employees, it would not force people to join.

The union is very vocal in its support of anyone who is a Democrat and is willing to donate time and money to help get such people elected or keep them in office. Since the Legislature is controlled by the Democrats, isn't this a conflict of interest?

The union does not have the same set of values and beliefs that I have. It supports issues that are against my personal and religious beliefs. Now the state of Maine says that I have to pay the union so it can further endorse issues in which I do not believe. What is fair or ethical about that? Why is the state so interested in taking away my rights?

As my employer, the state of Maine, with this new rule of "don't pay the union, lose your job," has shown that it does not care whether I am a good employee. The state only cares that I pay money to the union.

If I do not, the union will notify the state that I am not giving it money and tell it to fire me, and the state will obey.

That sounds like extortion. I feel that I have been betrayed by my employer.

Linda Gray

Augusta