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Racine firefighter quits union over 9-11 flap
JSOnline ^ | 7-13-11 | Daniel Bice

Posted on 07/13/2011 2:46:42 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic

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This is more fall out from the incident a couple of weeks ago when the Racine Firefighters' Union refused to march with a 9-11 Memorial float constructed by one of their "fair share" members for the July 4th parade. THe float went forward with teens from the firefighter's church playing the parts of the NYC firefighters erecting the flag amidst the ruins of the NY Trade Center. 6 retired firefighters and 2 police on bikes accompanied the float to the applause of the people. The Racine Firefighters' Union boycotted the float. It was a big topic on conservative talk radio around here.

A fair share member is a union member who does not want to pay dues for the union's political agenda and who is allowed to pare his membership back so that he pays a reduced fee that covers the cost of negotiating for wages and working conditions only.

1 posted on 07/13/2011 2:46:48 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Any bets on whether the "fair share" fee amounts to just about the same as union dues? We only spend 12¢ per year on political activities... honest.
2 posted on 07/13/2011 2:53:33 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (The Dems demanding shared sacrifice are like Aztec priests doing it while cutting out my heart.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic
The union comrades don't know how to act when legally confronted. They make themselves so hated by their petty, vindictive behavior.

I can't wait to see their estimates of the cost to negotiate on the part of the union versus the donations to Democrat politicians.

The jig is up, comrades.

3 posted on 07/13/2011 2:55:16 PM PDT by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Amazing. A good man works for the Racine fire department.


4 posted on 07/13/2011 2:57:46 PM PDT by Hans
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Very interesting post. I's got the 'fair share' words in it.

The article refers to 'fair share' union members as non-members and non-voting members.

They are required to pay their 'fair share' of union negotiating costs but can't vote??? Isn't that taxation without representation??

Starting to look a lot like the Soviet Union to me.

5 posted on 07/13/2011 2:58:52 PM PDT by CharlyFord (t)
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To: KarlInOhio

that 12 cents is in the social security “lock box”.

that’s all that’s left.


6 posted on 07/13/2011 2:59:21 PM PDT by WOBBLY BOB ( "I don't want the majority if we don't stand for something"- Jim Demint)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

And the union is working on a response to Rodriguez’s resignation. I wonder what form it will take. They need to discourage such resignations - “informational” picketing in front of Rodriguez’s house; a team to visit and try and change his mind; single out his kids for special educational attention by a cooperative NEA member, etc.


7 posted on 07/13/2011 3:03:29 PM PDT by Truth29
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I am 73 and have belonged to a union for most of my adult life; I still belong to one, SEIU actually (hangs head in shame). I am just about to quit as I’ve had it up to here with the union as last January they raised the rates to be a percentage of your wages. They only did it because we have gotten no raise for the last 3 years, but they figured out a way to get one for themselves. Take it from me, SEIU is falling apart...many locals are not the ‘democratic stronghold’ they once were. I am still a Democrat but haven’t voted for one for awhile and don’t plan to soon as long as all they propose is more spending and taxing and abortions.

I don’t post too often on these boards, but I do read from time to time.

Peace.


8 posted on 07/13/2011 3:04:07 PM PDT by Al_Bundy_jr (Unions SEIU)
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To: afraidfortherepublic
A fair share member is a union member who does not want to pay dues for the union's political agenda and who is allowed to pare his membership back so that he pays a reduced fee that covers the cost of negotiating for wages and working conditions only.

I must admit that I am not familiar with the inner machinations of unions. Despite my very limited knowledge of this subject, I do see an obvious problem. It would appear that those who choose to be a fair share member in effect openly identifies himself as a person who is opposed to the political goals of the union. It seems to me that such a person may and probably would experience unfair treatment and open harassment from union officials and co-workers.

9 posted on 07/13/2011 3:09:25 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((((unite))))
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To: All

DONATE


10 posted on 07/13/2011 3:36:18 PM PDT by DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis (Want to make $$$? It's easy! Use FR as a platform to pimp your blog for hits!!!)
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To: Al_Bundy_jr
I am still a Democrat...

You don't sound much like one (that's a compliment!)

11 posted on 07/13/2011 3:41:06 PM PDT by Onelifetogive (I tweet, too...)
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To: He Rides A White Horse

There’s a lot not understood about union membership.In NYS fair share is called agency fee.Payment for union acting as agent in negotiations and contract violation hearings. In fact it includes salary for officers and staff, communication in newsletter or newspaper.Some agency fees are as little as 50% of dues while many are 90%.The worker must receive an itemized dues expenditure report once a year.Supposedly, even for members, only COPE donations,not dues, may be used for political causes.Every union member can ask his union for a Beck (not Glenn) form to see if dues were spent on politics and demand a refund.


12 posted on 07/13/2011 4:04:28 PM PDT by xkaydet65 (IACTA ALEA EST!!!)
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To: He Rides A White Horse

Actually, you understand the union quite well.

My hubby is a union member. I’ve sent a few anti-union emails to his local and to the AFL-CIO in the past. One day he told me I was going to have to stop because the union powers were fixin’ to land on him like a ton of bricks because of my opinions.

They all blocked me anyway so I can’t send them emails if I wanted to.


13 posted on 07/13/2011 4:39:21 PM PDT by abigailsmybaby ("To understan' the livin', you gotta commune wit' da dead." Minerva)
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To: He Rides A White Horse

Actually, you understand the union quite well.

My hubby is a union member. I’ve sent a few anti-union emails to his local and to the AFL-CIO in the past. One day he told me I was going to have to stop because the union powers were fixin’ to land on him like a ton of bricks because of my opinions.

They all blocked me anyway so I can’t send them emails if I wanted to.


14 posted on 07/13/2011 4:39:28 PM PDT by abigailsmybaby ("To understan' the livin', you gotta commune wit' da dead." Minerva)
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To: He Rides A White Horse
It would appear that those who choose to be a fair share member in effect openly identifies himself as a person who is opposed to the political goals of the union.

That is why those Firefighters, Police, Teachers, etc. who choose to become "fair share" members are the bravest of the brave. The union thugs can be really nasty, threatening, and dangerous.

15 posted on 07/13/2011 5:21:36 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: xkaydet65
There’s a lot not understood about union membership.In NYS fair share is called agency fee.Payment for union acting as agent in negotiations and contract violation hearings. In fact it includes salary for officers and staff, communication in newsletter or newspaper.

I follow you so far. These things are commonplace and not necessarily malevolent.

Supposedly, even for members, only COPE donations,not dues, may be used for political causes.

What exactly are COPE donations? Are these 'donations' required, or does the Lead Pipe Collection Division take care of that? (I'm just kidding on the last ;)

16 posted on 07/13/2011 5:23:44 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((((unite))))
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To: abigailsmybaby
Actually, you understand the union quite well.

Most of us here have no qualms about expressing our views. Then again, there is a reason that there is a curtain at the voting booth. The system seems in place is rife with corruption. Not like your husband, but you know that those 'above' are giving marching orders.

17 posted on 07/13/2011 5:40:39 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((((unite))))
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To: afraidfortherepublic
That is why those Firefighters, Police, Teachers, etc. who choose to become "fair share" members are the bravest of the brave. The union thugs can be really nasty, threatening, and dangerous.

I don't know what to say. As if these folks don't have enough to deal with, they have to have eyes in the back of their heads.

18 posted on 07/13/2011 5:42:57 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((((unite))))
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To: He Rides A White Horse

COPE are union deductions over and above dues. You must sign a card before the employer can deduct the monies.In 25 years with NYC schools I NEVER sent a penny to COPE.I was never threatened, though one union chapter leader wouldn’t talk to me.BTW COPE means Committee On Political Education.Orwellian isn’t it?


19 posted on 07/13/2011 5:57:07 PM PDT by xkaydet65 (IACTA ALEA EST!!!)
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To: xkaydet65
Committee On Political Education.Orwellian isn’t it?

No kidding. Wow. The sad thing is that we are living it. Unbelievable.

20 posted on 07/13/2011 6:00:27 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((((unite))))
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