LA Times employees had better working conditions, pay and just as much security before the union was barely voted in (by 6 votes). Half of the employees didn't see this as a position of workplace solidarity or an intelligent base to begin bargaining from. There are currently more than 50% of the employees that DO NOT want a union or to pay dues.
There is a mechanism called a deauthorization petition and vote that is a part of the NLRA. We provided the necessary signatures and filed the petition with the NLRB. The Regional Director of the NLRB found that the absence of a termination threat in the union security clause negated the case for a deauthorization vote. Unfortunately for us as non-union employees, the Teamsters union doesn't believe the absence of a termination threat renders their union security clause unenforceable, as they have threatened us with lawsuits.
This is a case of being allowed due process under the NLRA, either the union security clause is enforceable (which the NLRB has ruled that it is missing a termination component)and if it is enforceable we should be granted a deauthorization vote, or if it is unenforceable we should have the right to voluntary dues payment. This would be more in line with what the NLRA is all about - democracy and workers rights in the workplace.
Workers saddled with an apathetic, abusive, underperforming union should know that the democratic process can work in their favor through a government-sponsored secret-ballot deauthorization election.
Unlike a mortgage or credit card payment, we did not sign a contract or agreement. We are not (formally) and do not want to be part of or represented by the union.
If and when we are granted due process under the law to a deauthorization vote, and IF 50% of employees vote in favor of no deauthorization of the union, then we will be willing to pay our required dues. Until that time we see the union security agreement as unlawful and the payment of dues should be voluntary.

Lee Carey
LA Times Pressman