No interest in state employees' union

Monday, May 2, 2005

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Is "Fair Share" really fair?

I am forced to pay a fee to an organization as a condition of keeping my employment. That is extortion.

I am a state worker. I am not a member of the state employees' union. I do not want to become a member of the union.

Now, due to "Fair Share," I have the following choices:

(1) Join the union.

(2) Stay nonunion but pay a protection fee.

(3) Lose my job.

A recent article in this newspaper portrays "Fair Share" as "fairly routine" and as "being in line with other New England states." We are told it is "receiving mostly positive feedback from state workers." I dispute every one of these assertions.

n Positive feedback: Every state worker I have talked to over the last few weeks has ranged in reaction from outrage to disgust. I have heard overwhelming negative feedback even from union members.

n In line: Massachusetts allows separate bargaining. That does not seem to be in line to me.

n Fairly routine: A provision quietly slipped passed the Appropriations Committee late at night without debate does not seem "fairly routine" to me.

In the final analysis, what is the big deal? This union does not represent my best interests. It is weak and without power. I do not receive any tangible benefit for the fee I am being forced to pay. I am philosophically and ideologically opposed to this union. Why should I have to pay a fee to an organization that I do not want to join for services and benefits I do not need or use so that it can pursue political agendas to which I am opposed?

I should not have to pay. That is the "big deal"

John DeWitt

Sidney

Senior Programmer Analyst

Maine Revenue Services