The following movie clip is actual FBI undercover footage of a United Transportation Union (UTU) bagman accepting a cash bribe on behalf of the union’s president.
The footage underscores why the National Right to Work Foundation is leading the fight to free America’s workers from forced unionism, and how compulsory unionism and corruption go hand-in-hand.

The Denver Post published an article earlier this week featuring the NRTW Foundation’s work on behalf of state employees in Washington in 2006, including Patricia Woodward. Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union officials ordered Ms. Woodward fired for refusal to pay dues. In the Post article, her niece, Darla Branif, called the imposition of forced dues on Washington state employees a "dirty deal."

In 2006 WFSE spokesman Tim Welch told dissenting employees exactly what he thought when asked by a local newspaper:

"You can choose to be a member of the union, you can choose to pay a fee. But ultimately, if you don’t like that, you can choose to be unemployed."

Sadly, with no Right to Work law in place in Washington, Welch is right. However, employees in Washington did fight back with the Foundation’s help. Watch Patricia Woodward’s statement at a related press conference below.

In a disturbing move that further underscores the Bush administration’s mismanagement of the National Labor Relations Board, NLRB General Counsel Ronald Meisburg has inexplicably added activist Democrat Dennis Walsh to his staff in recent days. Walsh is a militant union-boss partisan who had just vacated an expired recess appointment to the five member NLRB — a recess appointment that he should never have received from President Bush in the first place. Rather than receiving a make-work job within the bureaucracy while he pines away for yet another Board seat, Walsh should instead return to private employment. As a voting member, Walsh had worked to undermine employee free choice and to empower union bosses to coerce workers into union ranks. It’s outrageous that he would be rewarded with a new post at Bush’s NLRB.

Here’s a new video from National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation President Mark Mix thanking supporters for helping the Foundation fight compulsory unionism online by creating cutting edge video content in its new in-house production studio.

Over at the Times Herald’s opinion section, another union boss whined about the growing Right to Work movement in Michigan. The ex construction union chief had this to say:

“If Michigan becomes a right-to-work state, you might as well pack your bags and leave it.”

The problem is (as we have repeatedly reported here) Michiganders are already leaving the state – precisely because of Big Labor’s forced unionism stranglehold. The lack of a Right to Work law has not only deprived employees of their freedom of association, but it has also contributed to Michigan’s skyrocketing unemployment levels and heavy taxes.

Right to Work laws guarantee that no person can be compelled, as a condition of employment, to join or not to join, nor to pay dues to a labor union. It’s no wonder Michiganders are packing their bags for Right to Work states.

Let’s hope that this situation changes before the state’s economy collapses.

Following up with Justin’s post on an ugly Teamsters picket in Somerville, Massachusetts, today’s news stories report that 10 Teamsters thugs were arrested during the mess.

The Somerville News has the story:

10 Teamsters were arrested “for rude, offensive and threatening conduct,” according to police.

The owner of Russell Disposal, Charles Carneglia, explained that he feared for his safety after Teamsters militants harassed him when he entered the facility:

…when Carneglia walked to front gate the Teamsters would begin taunting and catcalling him. “Ya piece of s**t,” yelled one picketer Thursday afternoon. “You’re a criminal.”

After the incident last week, Local 25 chief Sean O’Brien was apparently “too busy” to address repeated press inquires. Unable to answer for the Teamsters union notorious and thuggish actions, it’s no wonder this union boss went into hiding.

Are you interested in protecting American citizens from compulsory unionism and other union special privileges’ If so, check out these employment opportunities with the National Right to Work Foundation:

Development Assistant

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation seeks a Development Assistant to help the Foundation raise the funds needed for its battle to protect American citizens from compulsory unionism and other union special privileges. The successful candidate will write, edit, and proofread fundraising letters, grant proposals, and newsletter articles. Some familiarity with Microsoft Access or similar programs is desirable but not required. This position offers an excellent opportunity to learn about nonprofit fundraising and develop valuable skills.

Strong writing ability and a commitment to individual liberty are essential.

To apply send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Duncan Clark, Development Director, at rdc@nrtw.org. No phone calls please.

Deputy Communications Director

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation seeks an energetic Deputy Communications Director to join a growing public outreach program within a respected and established organization working to protect American citizens from compulsory unionism and other union special privileges.

The successful candidate will implement public relations strategies, respond to media inquiries, as well as work with cutting edge technology to produce online video content in the Foundation’s in-house TV studio. Writing tasks include drafting newsletter articles, op-eds, press releases, and some direct mail copywriting.

Outstanding writing and communications skills are essential, as is a strong commitment to limited government and individual liberty. This is an entry-level position.

Interested applicants should send a resume and writing sample(s) (amounting to at least 800 words) to Justin Hakes via email at jah@nrtw.org or fax: (703) 321-9613. No phone calls please.

Grants Administrator

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation seeks a highly motivated individual in its grant seeking program which raises funds to combat the abuses of union coercive power. Responsibilities include identifying and researching foundations, tracking and fulfilling deadlines for proposals and reports, and assisting in cultivation of major donors as well as the development of new funding sources. Applicants should have excellent writing skills and should be well organized, detail-oriented, and a team player.

A commitment to limited government and individual liberty is essential.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample(s) to Ginny Smith, Director of Strategic Programs, at gms@nrtw.org or National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, 8001 Braddock Road, Springfield, VA 22160. No phone calls please.

As many people across the nation make their New Year’s resolutions, one state representative in Iowa has vowed not to give up on employee free choice in the Hawkeye State in 2008. The Ottumwa Courier reports:

State Representative Betty DeBoef said the first major issue that comes to mind for the upcoming year is a bill the Iowa House will vote on.

“The one thing I really hope is that we do not pass the bill that will decimate Iowa’s 60-year-old right-to-work law. Iowa being a right-to-work state has served our state well. It provides a business-friendly environment for companies that want to come to Iowa,” she said. “Passing that bill would be a mistake.”

DeBoef warned of other ramifications if the Right to Work law is lost:

“A number of teachers I know do not support the agenda of the NEA and the ISCA [teacher unions], and they would be forced to pay dues to these unions even though they don’t agree with their agenda.”

For more reasons why Iowa’s highly-popular Right to Work law is so vital, please read this study.

The readers’ forum section in West Virginia’s Charleston Gazette featured a great commentary from one local reader about the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act,” a bill that would lead to even more union intimidation during organizing drives. The following was his response after one AFL-CIO union boss claimed that “employees are not being allowed to join unions.”

“The Employee Free Choice Act is not for employees. It is for unions, period. Under that proposed act, unions can get employees signed up on union cards, even in a pizza parlor after three beers, before three or four other pushy union officials.”

For more information about in-your-face card check schemes, read these studies conducted by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research.

40 police in riot gear in Somerville, Massachusetts, were called in yesterday to break up a Teamsters picket that threatened to disrupt the city’s trash pick up.

"Officers were pelted with stones," (City Spokesman Tom) Champion said, "and our police officials reported that a small but very vocal group of demonstrators was abusive and confrontational and exhibited violence."

The company’s owner, Charles Carneglia, said the push was part of an effort to force unwanted unionization on employees, and that:

"The union guys were trying to bully them not to go to work," he said.

Carneglia claims one union operative slashed his pants with a knife during the confrontation. Watch video of a news story about the incident here.

This ugly incident shows the lengths to which some union officials will go to impose unionization on employees regardless of their wishes.