Backers of these so-called "paycheck protection" laws claim they would give union members more say in how their dues are spent. But what they really would do is infringe upon our democratic rights. As union members, we set our own dues and elect our own leaders; we should be the ones to decide how our unions work.

Here are the facts about "paycheck protection."

Q. Can union dues be used to make contributions to political candidates and campaigns?

A. Under federal law and in many states, the answer is no. The Federal Election Campaign Act forbids the donation of union dues or fees to federal-level candidates or political campaigns, and many states impose the same restrictions on state-level races. Contributions by union members to union political action committees are voluntary and made separately from dues payments. Union dues may, however, be used for such activities as voter registration or get-out-the-vote drives, and member education about election issues or candidates' records.

Q. Can any worker be forced to pay for union political or legislative activities with which he or she disagrees?

A. No. Although polls show that the vast majority of members support their union's legislative and political activities, no worker can be required to join a union and help pay for such activities. Workers may choose not to join and pay only the fees required to cover the costs of bargaining and representation. Unions are required by law to notify workers of that right.

Q. What did the Supreme Court rule in CWA vs. Beck?

A. In decision after decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that the rights of both the majority and dissenters within unions must be protected and balanced. In 1988, in the Beck decision, the court reaffirmed the right of unions to require workers who choose not to join the union to pay fees covering the expenses of their representation. It also ruled that a union cannot use the fees of nonmembers for political activities over their objections.

Q. So why do critics claim that unions are placing compulsory charges on workers to support political activities?

A. Big businesses and their supporters falsely claim that labor organizations are forcing employees to pay for election-related activities. The true purpose of these misleading statements is not to protect workers or the interests of the minority, but to silence the majority. The burdensome requirements being proposed would effectively circumvent the will of the majority of union members who support legislative and political involvement in working family issues. As America's unions become more aggressive in educating members, exposing the votes of elected leaders, and challenging the corporate agenda, big business interests are responding with a concerted effort to restrict union members' participation in political education and mobilization activities.

Q. When it comes to political activities, do unions have special advantages that other organizations don't?

A. No, it's quite the opposite. Like other organizations, including corporations, unions have a First Amendment right to inform, educate, and express political views. But unions are subject to more stringent financial disclosure requirements than any other organizations (including corporations, the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce). If these same proposals applied to corporations, they would have to get advance permission from stockholders before spending money on politics or legislation. When it comes to political activities, corporations accounted for more than 40 percent of the $1.6 billion raised by political candidates and parties in the 1996 election cycle-while unions accounted for less than 4 percent.

Q. During the 1996 election year, did the AFL-CIO raise members' dues to give $35 million to political candidates?

A. No. Union leaders, elected by their members, voted to launch an AFL-CIO grassroots and media campaign focusing on working family issues-not elections. Through Labor '96, the AFL-CIO educated and organized members around working family issues such as living wages, retirement security, health care, education, job safety, and workers' rights. This campaign was not funded by a membership dues increase, but rather through a reallocation of existing resources. Union members' dues did not go up as a result. The campaign compared the voting records of candidates and shared that information with members.

==================================================================

Four Ways To Fight Back With These Facts:

1) Write letters to the editor to raise public awareness
   on this issue.
2) Get other people to write letters - share this material.
3) Call your Legislator and voice your opinion.
4) Call in to talk shows to counteract the conservatives.