Dear editor,
This letter is in response to Rep. Rapp's intention to co-sponsor a "right to work" bill. My first point of contention is that non-union members of a union shop have to pay "union dues". In my union shop employees have the right not to join the union. If they so choose, they will pay what is called a "fair share". This fair share insures that they pay for the Union's activities that they enjoy. By enjoy I mean, the pay they receive, the working conditions they have and the benefits they receive such as paid vacation and sick time. The non-union employees are allowed to refuse for their monies go to anything other than those activities associated with negotiating for those items.
I do agree with Rep. Rapp that employees should have the right to choose where their dollars go and the right to do with the dollars in their pocket. To that end, I would like to quit paying for the following items that are automatically deducted from my paycheck, that I have no control over: LST tax, Federal Tax, FICA, Medicare, State Tax and Unemployment. I do reserve the right however, to enjoy all benefits of all those programs.
Obviously that last paragraph was said to make a point. If the employee is going to enjoy a benefit, they should be required to pay the costs associated with obtaining that benefit. I know in this day and age, everyone wants everything for nothing, but that is not a proper mindset.
I believe that Unions exist for the protection of their members and to speak with one voice at the negotiating table. The Union should protect employees from unsafe working conditions, unfair practices, unfair treatment and to make sure that all parties involved follow agreed to practices and policies. Are there extremes in all of this? Yes, but there are extremes in all walks of life. Remove both ends of the extremes and you have the real people that just want what is proper and just for employees.
Thank you for allowing me to state my mind and express some of my feelings on this issue.
Gregg Danielson
Warren