Rhode Island School of Design Technician Combats Illegal Union Boss Intimidation and Threats

Providence, RI (October 17, 2012) – With the help of National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys, a Rhode Island School of Design technician has filed federal charges against a local union for violating his rights.Robert Vennerbeck of Providence filed the federal charge against the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Technical Association union with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional office in Boston.Vennerbeck resigned formal union membership and exercised his 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. Under Beck, workers have the right to opt out of paying for union activities unrelated to workplace bargaining, such as members-only events and political lobbying.

Restaurant Union Bosses Served Federal Charges

Chicago, IL (October 2, 2012) – With free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Foundation, two local Riva Restaurant servers have filed federal charges against a local union for violating their rights and demanding that they pay thousands of dollars in back union dues or be fired.Michael Pastrick and Jaclyn McAllister filed the charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the Unite Here Local 1 union, based in Chicago.Unite Here Local 1 union officials enjoy monopoly bargaining powers over the workplace. As a result, employees can be forced to pay union dues and fees as a condition of employment because Illinois is not a Right to Work state. However, employees cannot be legally compelled to join a union against their will and cannot be compelled to pay union dues used for union politics and member-only events.

Worker’s Federal Charge Forces Union Officials to Halt Intimidation Tactics

Johnsonburg, PA (September 14, 2012) – A Johnsonburg Clarion Sintered Metals worker’s federal charge against a Machinist union local has forced union officials to stop threatening workers who want to exercise their right to refrain from formal union membership.Christina Wilson filed the federal unfair labor practice charge against International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local 2448 with free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Foundation.IAM Local 2448 union officials enjoy monopoly bargaining privileges over Wilson's workplace. Because Pennsylvania does not have a Right to Work law, workers can be forced to pay union dues or fees to keep their jobs. However, the U.S. Supreme Court held in the Foundation's Communications Workers of America v. Beck case that workers cannot be compelled to pay for union political activities, lobbying, and member-only events.

Ford Technician Appeals Case in Which Teamster Bosses Illegally Funnel Worker’s Dues into PAC

Minneapolis, MN (August 16, 2012) – With free legal assistance from National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys, a New Brighton Ford journeyman technician has filed a federal appeal with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Washington, D.C.Dylan McHenry of Hammond, Wisconsin, filed the appeal after the NLRB Regional Office in Minneapolis partially dismissed his federal charge that the Teamsters Local 974 union illegally confiscated union dues payments from his paychecks for political activism and refused to follow federal disclosure requirements.

Ready-Mix Concrete Worker Seeks to Break Free of Teamster Union Dues Scheme

Ready-Mix Concrete Worker Seeks to Break Free of Teamster Union Dues Scheme Teamsters refuse to follow federal disclosure requirements 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.

Ready-Mix Concrete Worker Seeks to Break Free of Teamster Union Dues Scheme

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.

Union Bosses Illegally Demand Macy’s Restaurant Employee Pay Nearly $1,000 in Dues or Be Fired

Chicago, IL (August 1, 2012) – A State Street Macy's Walnut Room restaurant worker has filed a federal charge against a local union for intimidating her and violating her rights.With free legal assistance from National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys, Kathi Szkolny filed the federal charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board, Workers United Local 2745 union on Monday.Workers United Local 2745 union officials illegally misinformed workers that they must pay full union dues to keep their jobs. Union officials refused to inform workers of their right under Foundation-won Supreme Court precedent in Communication Workers v. Beck to refrain from full dues paying union membership.

Special Notice for Joliet, Illinois Caterpillar, Inc. Workers Represented by the Machinist (IAM) Union

On May 1, International Association of Machinist (IAM) union officials ordered all workers to abandon their jobs and go on strike at the Caterpillar Inc. plant in Joliet, Illinois. The situation raises serious concerns for workers who believe there is much to lose from continuing a union-ordered strike. Employees have the right under federal labor law to rebuff union officials’ strike demands, but it is important for you to be informed before you do so. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RETURN TO WORK DURING A STRIKE READ ALL OF THIS SPECIAL NOTICE BEFORE RETURNING TO WORK - IT MIGHT SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! IAM union officials have a decades long history of disciplining, fining and abusing workers who do not kow-tow to their dictates.

Special Notice for Janitors Represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

SEIU union officials have declared war on janitorial companies all over the United States, and are threatening to order workers to abandon their jobs and go on strike in various cities across America. The situation raises serious concerns for workers who believe there is much to lose from engaging in a union-ordered strike. Employees have the right under federal labor law to rebuff union officials' strike demands, but it is important for them to be informed before they do so. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WORKING OR RETURN TO WORK DURING A STRIKE READ ALL OF THIS SPECIAL NOTICE BEFORE CROSSING A PICKET LINE TO WORK - IT MIGHT SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! SEIU union officials have a decades long history of disciplining, fining and abusing workers who do not kow-tow to their dictates. For example:

School Bus Drivers Slam the Brakes on Shoddy Federal Settlement in Teamster Union Disclosure Case

School Bus Drivers Slam the Brakes on Shoddy Federal Settlement in Teamster Union Disclosure Case Labor Board settlement lets scofflaw Teamster union off the hook Long Island, NY (July 6, 2012) – A group of Lindenhurst, New York, school bus drivers have appealed a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regional office’s proposed settlement of a federal charge filed against a local Teamster union.