Whatever Happened to the Freedom of Association?
The Teacher's Assocation of Anne Arundel County is raising hay with the County School Board over the "Fair Share" law enacted by the General Assembly last year. The law, sponsored by Senator Phil Jimeno, authorizes the Board to enact a fee on teachers who choose not to affiliate with the union. The premise, according to TAAC Executive Director Bill Jones, is that
Whatever happened to the Freedom of Association? There are many reasons why teachers choose not to affiliate with the union. Often, it is because of the union's political leanings; potential members do not want their membership dues to be directed in a manner to support candidates to which they are ideological opposed. Many of those who do join only do so in order to have access to reasonably price, job-related insurance coverage.
The Union's position on this is understandable to an extent. They believe that they should be compensated for the work they do in neogtiating the contractrs with the Board. However, the contracts being negotiated on the behalf of all teachers; not just members of the Union. Those who choose not to affiliate with the Union understand that they are voluntarily surrending their right to be represented in these negotiations.
At no time should the School Board be strongarmed by any particular organization into collecting a fee from people who make a decision not to affiliate with that organization. Americans have the freedom to associate or not to associate with any individual or organization that they desire without being required to pay a fee for the privilege.
About 25 percent of our members aren't paying a dime, but when we negotiate a salary raise, they got it. When we went to court last year to fight for health care, they contributed nothing to the legal fees, but they benefitted...It's time to take the burden off good people who pay dues, and who have been paying the freight for everybody.
Whatever happened to the Freedom of Association? There are many reasons why teachers choose not to affiliate with the union. Often, it is because of the union's political leanings; potential members do not want their membership dues to be directed in a manner to support candidates to which they are ideological opposed. Many of those who do join only do so in order to have access to reasonably price, job-related insurance coverage.
The Union's position on this is understandable to an extent. They believe that they should be compensated for the work they do in neogtiating the contractrs with the Board. However, the contracts being negotiated on the behalf of all teachers; not just members of the Union. Those who choose not to affiliate with the Union understand that they are voluntarily surrending their right to be represented in these negotiations.
At no time should the School Board be strongarmed by any particular organization into collecting a fee from people who make a decision not to affiliate with that organization. Americans have the freedom to associate or not to associate with any individual or organization that they desire without being required to pay a fee for the privilege.
posted by Brian Griffiths at 7:52 PM
1 Comments:
... and that is why unions should not be allowed to endorse candidates for political office. I'd think that if a union wanted to support a politician, it could recommend the person to its membership. Individuals could then decide for themselves whether or not they wanted to support the candidate, and choose to organize or not at their leisure.
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