BOSTON, MA -- National Right to Work Foundation attorneys have convinced the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that Teamsters Local 653 and United Parcel Service (UPS) violated the law by forcing a worker of faith to fund the Teamsters officials’ militant operation.

Like many employees of religious faith, Louis Butler believes that membership in a union is inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible concerning the relationship between employee and employer.

Nevertheless, Teamsters Local 653 officials and UPS continued to siphon forced dues from Butler’s paycheck and hand the money over to a union that he believed to be involved in immoral activities -- a direct attack on his conscience and faith.

Workers of faith may keep consciences clear

Using Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Foundation attorneys have established that workers have the right to an accommodation that resolves the conflict between forced union membership or payment of fees and their sincere faith in God. Instead, workers of faith may redirect their forced union dues to charity.

On February 25, 1999, Butler, a devout Christian, informed UPS and Teamsters Local 635 officials of the conflict between his religious beliefs and the requirement that he continue to pay forced fees. UPS ignored him, and Teamsters officials brazenly rejected his request for an accommodation.

Foundation attorneys immediately filed religious discrimination charges on Mr. Butler’s behalf against Teamsters Local 635 and UPS at the EEOC.

"These charges confirmed what many have known all along: union bosses are out to preserve their money and power, not workers’ civil rights," said Stefan Gleason, Vice President of the Foundation.

Prosecution launched against union, employer

In the face of mounting evidence, the EEOC began an investigation into the conduct of UPS and union officials, and less than three months later, the EEOC confirmed that the Teamsters and UPS violated Butler’s right to practice his religious beliefs.

The EEOC now has the option to file a federal lawsuit against UPS and Local 635 or attempt to remedy the situation by forcing them into a settlement that protects the rights of Mr. Butler as well as other workers of faith.

"With the continued help of its generous supporters, the Foundation intends to fight until the day when not one single worker is forced to kneel before Big Labor’s altar," said Gleason.