The Republicans have called an extraordinary session  of the legislature, just to cram through a so-called "right to work" bill. Their goal is to starve unions of money.
RTW is wrong
"Right to Work" is wrong for workers
What would a "Right to Work law" mean to me?
The Union will still be here. Right?
War on Workers
Maybe not. "Right to Work" legislation doesn't do anything for workers; it is another giveaway to corporate interests. We haven't seen the content of the proposed bill yet, but it's safe to guess that the goal of the legislation is to destroy as many Unions as possible.

How will this destroy Unions? Right now, the dues that fund the Union are deducted from our paychecks by the company. Most so-called "right to work" bills forbid companies from doing that. Dues payments become voluntary and people can forget. Even worse, some people decide to freeload off of those who ARE paying their dues. Such people take the contract protections and raises and even demand representation at disciplinary hearings -- all while refusing to pay their share of the costs.

In states that pass these kinds of bills, the destruction of Unions means that everyone does worse:
  • RTW doesn't create jobs. It cuts wages and increases hours that people have to work.
  • RTW is an attack on the middle class. We work harder for less money and more hours. The average wages in a RTW state are over $5000 less per year.
  • RTW isn't about "freedom" no matter what their press releases say. People in "right to work" states have generally lower wages, higher poverty, less access to health care, and poorer education for their children. Does that sound like freedom?
What do we get for our dues dollars?
Are the dues -- and the Union -- worth it?
We may all have to make a decision in the coming months. Each and every one of us may have to decide if what we get from Union membership is worth taking the time and effort to write that check. To help you make that decision, let's discuss what we all get from being in a Union.

The simplest part is, we get a voice. For most of us, it means we can relax, knowing that Stewards and Board members are out there getting us the best contract we can negotiate and holding the Company to it.

Without a contract, we would be what is considered "at will" employees. An "at will" employee can be fired at any time, for any reason -- or no reason at all. Miss a day of work because of a sick child? Too bad, you're fired. Miss a deadline? Too bad, you're fired. You and your manager don't have the same political views? Too bad, you're fired. With a contract, the Company has to find "just cause" to terminate or even discipline, and what that means is spelled out in the contract. Along with a written discipline process, we get a Steward who will make sure our rights are protected so that we don't have to face it alone.

Having a Union means that the benefits we get are in writing and enforceable in court. Health care costs are set in writing and how much they might go up is specified in advance. Other benefits such as paid time off (sick days, vacation days, personal time) are negotiated. Most of us can participate in various retirement plans that are wholly or in part paid for by the Company. If your Company has both Union and non-union jobs, look at the benefits of your non-union colleagues and you'll find that they have fewer benefits and protections. 

bills_coins.jpg If you want a Union to negotiate a contract on your behalf, it costs money. If you need the Union to stand beside you in a disciplinary hearing, it costs money. If you want the Union to fight for you when you've been wrongly fired, it costs money. Add up how many raises you got since you started your job, how much your salary has gone up, and how many days off you get. Now compare that to the dinner-out-sized expense of your (tax deductible) dues. Is taking the time to write that check worth it now?

If the worst happens, and Wisconsin becomes a "right to work" [for less] state, then we'll find ways to make it as easy as possible for everyone to pay their dues. The Union is worth it but we'll only know for sure how much if it goes away.
The people who hate Unions and want those of us who work to have no say in our workplaces are trying to distract us from the proven fact that we do better together.