Our View: Prop 75 protects the union members


You know its election season when the number of commercials promoted by lobbyists out number those of Apple Computers and Carl’s Jr. They are unavoidable. They dominate the airtime on every station, wooing voters to join their cause. Although many of them have valid, persuasive arguments, one ad in particular has used misleading rhetoric to try and fool the earnest, hardworking voters of California.

The No-on-75 group has made several outlandish claims in order to dissuade voters from protecting the rights of the individual union member. Using the images of publicly lauded heroes, like firefighters and hospital workers, the No-on-75 group claims that Proposition 75 will steal power away from unions and prevent them from voicing their concerns politically.

The actual objective of Proposition 75 is to give union members the choice as to whether or not they wish to contribute money to the political ventures financed by unions.

Currently, those who belong to a union do not have the option to pay these fees. Their paychecks are garnished to fund all political campaigns the union decides are appropriate.

Proposition 75 does not deter members from making contributions. Its objective is to make contributions optional for individual members. The proposed change is to make consent a requirement before garnishing member’s wages.

Each year, union members would sign a document stating whether or not they wish to give money to the organizations their union supports. Often the political goals of the union are not felt unanimously throughout the group, and each member should have the right to retain his or her money when he or she disagrees with the union’s political stance.

Although the revision reduces the cost of mandatory dues for those who belong to unions, members are still obligated to pay the membership fees that apply to health insurance and charitable organizations.

The new arrangement would be ideal. It maintains all of the benefits of union membership without the obligation of financially supporting political organizations that individuals might object to.

By using the images of respected citizens, like police officers and teachers, these union honchos are misrepresenting many of the most valuable members of a community. Proposition 75 is an attempt to protect these citizens from greedy unions who want money to fund causes.

Those who belong to unions usually work less desirable jobs. It is unfair for unions to rob their members of the money they receive in order to further their personal agendas.

It is sad to see the decline of a once helpful and empowering force. Unions strive to protect the common man from unfair wages and grueling work.

Now, these unions are becoming a burden to their members and are obliging their members to pay wages for things that might be contrary to their beliefs.

It is the responsibility of the public to hold them accountable for their promises. If it is the mission of the union to aid it’s associates financially, it should make these superfluous dues optional.

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