Goshen, IN (August 15, 2012) – With free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Foundation, an Eagle Ready Mix concrete worker has filed a federal charge against a local Teamster union for violating his rights.

Edward Chupp of Goshen filed the charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) earlier this month.

Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Local 364 union officials never informed workers of their rights, including their right to refrain from full-dues-paying union membership as upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Foundation-won Communications Workers v. Beck case.

In May, Chupp informed the union that he was exercising his right under Beck to refrain from formal, full-dues-paying union membership.

Although Indiana’s recently-enacted Right to Work law states that no employee can be required to pay union dues as a condition of employment, forced dues contracts between unions and employers entered into prior to the effective date of the law remain in force throughout the state. Therefore, Chupp still must pay a portion of union dues to keep his job until a new contract goes into effect. However, Chupp cannot be compelled to pay the portion of union dues used for political, lobbying, and member-only activities.

Despite his resignation, Teamsters Local 364 union officials continue to confiscate full union dues from his paychecks.

Additionally, union officials refuse to provide Chupp the financial disclosure required by federal law to ensure that workers are not illegally paying for union boss political activities and union member-only events.

“Teamster union officials are extracting full union dues from workers who want to exercise their rights to refrain from formal union membership,” said Patrick Semmens, Vice President of the National Right to Work Foundation. “This illegal action must stop.”

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing free legal aid to employees whose human or civil rights have been violated by compulsory unionism abuses. The Foundation, which can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-336-3600, assists thousands of employees in about 200 cases nationwide per year.