Letter to the editor: 'Right to work' means defunding unions

The writer of the letter “Unions causing state budget impasse” (Sept. 25, TribLive) stated that Pennsylvania legislators should vote to make Pennsylvania a right-to-work state.

As with quite a few laws, naming it “right to work” is putting lipstick on a pig. The only “right” it gives you is the ability to refuse to pay dues to the very entity that guards your First Amendment rights at work.

In 1935, Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act, which codified union membership as protected under free speech, and rights of assembly and petition. This prevents businesses from lobbying lawmakers to outlaw unions outright. Since unions can’t be made illegal, the next best thing companies can try is to defund the unions.

Union’s only source of funding is dues money. “Right to work” allows employees not to pay dues, but requires unions to provide protections and negotiate unilaterally, even for the non-dues payers.

In “right-to-work” states, resources are strained to the breaking point, as arbitration and grievance costs have to be paid by the unions. Unions are sometimes forced to put aside some grievances that may require quite a bit of money for lawyers and arbitration, opening up themselves for a failure-of- representation lawsuit.

The next time your Congressman extolls the virtues of “right to work,” ask him specifically what “right” do you gain under this law, and how does defunding unions who protect First Amendment Rights help you in the workplace.

Do the research. Vote with your eyes, not your ears.

Thomas Nacey Jr.

Delmont