Posted on 02/19/2011 5:02:20 AM PST by RobertClark
I know I am not alone in the belief that unions (particularly in the public sector) are disastrous to our communities and nation. The attempts by unions to subvert election results and the will of the voters is disturbing and frankly sickening. I have been undertaking a mission to undermine the finances of the unions for a couple of months. To really make an impact, I ask everyone to get involved in the same mission.
I will preface my methods by stating that I am in no way affiliated with this organization. I am a freedom loving conservative activist. I came across a court decision from 1988 that allows union members to not contribute to any activities that do not directly impact their employment such as political, social, or charitable contributions. In digging further, I realized that a group exists that is helping union members obtain refunds of portions of their dues that have been spent on these items, and opt out of future political contribution, thus reducing their dues and the union's political coffers. It is called UnionRefund.org. UnionRefund.org” is a special project of the Cornerstone Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3). UnionRefund.org is NOT a political action organization. UnionRefund.org is a project designed to help educate, organize and assist union members nationwide in exercising their “Beck rights” as set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Naturally, unions do not want members to know about their right to obtain refunds and opt-out of future political spending. They have done a very good job of keeping it quiet. My motivation is to starve the union pig of political funds. In today's economy, the opportunity to gain a refund of partial union dues and lessen their future payments is very inviting to most people. This group will allow them to go online, with a few clicks generate the demand letter for a refund and calculate the amount owed - all in under a few minutes. Once on the site, it is irresistible to union members.
I need help in spreading the word about the site through forums, local ads, ANYTHING that will potentially get union members to find this group. The more funds we can pull from the union's coffers, the better off we all are. I invite you to check it out for yourself and if so inclined, help starve the union beast.
Folks, is there a downside to this? If not, we should put it on our favorite blogs and email the link to our entire contact list with the request to send it all over tarnation.
Yes We Can!
Great site - Excellent Vanity Post!
I ran the numbers for hubby’s job with their look-up tool.
His ‘contribution’ was well over a thousand dollars.
I am curious if retired union workers could also be refunded? Hmmm....
I will join you.
That’s what I’m wondering - both my inlaws are retired union workers.
I asked the retired ?? when this subject 1st posted...never got an answer......My old local really PO’d me....would love to send them this form
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How long ago did you ask the retired question? I just sent them an email asking the same question. We’ll see if they answer.
Sorry Elle Bee, me being the idiot that I am, I posted this question to you. It was meant for tlb8zs.
It would be far more effective if this could be used by RETIRED union members to recover these monies retroactively.
Count me in. I only caught a little piecce of Beck’s show on this, so a huge thank you for posting this here. I will be spreading the word, starting with my still out of work, union carpenter gentleman friend.
He is one of the most hard-working, principled men I’ve ver known. He loves his trade and wants nothing more than a fair days wage for a job well done. One of the best people I have ever known. I’m sure he’s not alone.
If a union worker files for a return of part of his dues, objecting to the way they are spent, would he not become a target when layoffs come around? Might he find himself missing from the out of work list from which the hires are made? They do have ways to “get” you!
Defund the Unions, BUMP!!
Great Post!
I was active during and after the Beck decision but I'm unaware of the ability to collect dues retroactively
My understanding is that Beck would allow an individual to work without being compelled to join the union but required that the individual still pay a fee determined (and therein lies a problem) to be necessary for the cost of collective bargaining and maintenance of the collective bargaining agreement
Beck simply excluded as compulsory those monies which were used as "voter education" by the union - that's a huge gray area and public sector Unions (govt. employees) have very limited reporting requirements for the collection and use of union monies - not that the private sector unions offer much transparency but the public sector union reporting requirements are laughable even by DOL standards
Those individuals still had to pay a majority of the dues assessment but were not in the union and could not vote within the union but the individual was still subject to the terms of the union collective bargaining agreement
Beck was a very limited victory
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Since the employers and not the union would make the decisions regarding layoffs and call-backs, the union cannot impact this very effectively without it being easily visible and thus grounds for action from the member(the action as such would clearly be discriminatory based on belief and easily remedied). As far as the out of work list through the union halls, does it really matter? You're out of work! Either they will locate work as agreed or you'll take advantage of the union benes and financial support until they're broke.
You are correct. This is the one line response that I got.
unfortunately this is only proactive for current members...can't get back dues.
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