Neal Dunn: “Thomas Jefferson once said, ``To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he…”

“Thomas Jefferson once said, ``To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical.'' His thoughtful observation appeared a few years ago to be validated by the United States Supreme Court in the Beck decision. Many of my colleagues have stated this evening that union workers do not need the protections given in this legislation. But let me give them a clear example of the effect this bill can have and what union leaders so fear. In 1992, the voters of Washington State approved Initiative Measure 134, a state law prohibiting labor unions from withholding or diverting portions of an employee's wage for political purposes without the employee's written consent. The effect of the new law, which essentially implements the spirit of the Supreme Court ruling, has been striking. Prior to Initiative 134, one union, the Washington Federation of State Employees and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, was among the Nation's leaders in terms of money raised and the number of workers contributing through payroll deductions. Since I-134, more than 90 percent of this union's members chose not to give the union access to their earnings to pay for the union leaders' political agenda. The number of contributing union members dropped from 2,500 workers to 82 workers, this as a result of giving union members choice.”