Published Date: 2019-03-27
Union Solidarity Works
I want every CAPT member to be aware that our union solidarity has never been more critical than it is today. Well-organized, anti-union organizations are using clever rhetoric to lure public employees against their unions and to file lawsuits, which are intended to cripple the power workers yield when unionized. The Sacramento Bee recently reported nearly a dozen such lawsuits in California alone and sadly, CAPT has been mentioned in a lawsuit and must now devote union resources to fight for your rights under the Dills Act.
As we predicted, the anti-union forces are attacking workers and their right to bargain collectively in union-strong California. After the SCOTUS ruled in the Janus vs. AFSCME case that unions cannot collect fair share or “free rider” fees from those that do not wish to be affiliated with a union, they are now turning to the courts again. This time, anti-union organizations have claimed that opt-out periods are insufficient and that members should be able to drop at any time. Currently, when a member signs up for the union, they are required to stay in the union for the duration of the contract. This prevents people from signing up only when they need the union to represent them when facing an adverse action or need representation before the licensing board.
While I cannot comment specifically on pending litigation, I can speak to the point that this is a clear continuance of a well-funded, well-coordinated and sustained effort to cripple and dismantle unions at the expense of working-class families. The aim of these anti-worker, anti-union groups seek to return the American worker to an age in which the common man and woman are powerless to band together and effect positive change to their workplace, to collectively bargain and enjoy meaningful lives both in and out of their place of employment. Only collectively do we have the power and influence to protect our wages, jobs, benefits, pensions and working conditions. Don’t let these organizations destroy a labor movement that took centuries to build.
These campaigns, lawsuits, and political attacks by anti-union organizations are financed by the wealthy one percenters. This is a fight much larger than you and your union dues; this is about the rich trying to cripple working families from participating in the political process. This is a pure and unadulterated power grab by the haves from the have nots. This method of filing a lawsuit after lawsuit is meant to bleed the unions dry of their resources, which are intended to protect workers through the collective bargaining process, contract enforcement, defense against adverse actions and licensing representation.
If and when you hear someone telling you about your right not to pay union dues, ask them these questions: Who is going to defend me when I am involved in a false allegation by a patient? If enough drop from the union, who will pay to negotiate and enforce our contract? Who will ensure that the departments are producing enough post and bid slots, as well as bid vacation openings? Who will protect our pensions from the pension reformers? Who will represent me before the licensing board? Don’t let someone give you the runaround; demand a specific answer from them. Tell them the one percent I pay isn’t worth the risk of losing so much more.
Unions everywhere need to stand ready and continue to educate their members about the continued assaults against their workplace democracies and the motivation behind those assaults.
Solidarity forever,
Eric Soto
CAPT State President
March 27, 2019 | Download Flier
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