WSJ: The NLRB's Union Bonus

[Omaha Steve]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324461604578190252319117988.html

With the election over, the labor board guts the Beck decision on dues.

Christmas came early for Big Labor last week when the National Labor Relations Board handed down a pair of decisions that overturned longstanding precedent and will deliver a windfall to union finances.

On Wednesday, the NLRB voted 3-to-1 to gut protections for workers who don't want their money spent on politics. In states without right-to-work laws, employees of unionized companies are coerced into paying dues as a condition of employment. But under the Supreme Court's 1988 Beck decision, workers are allowed to withhold the portion of their dues that unions spend on political activity.

Unions must also maintain independently verified audits of their finances and provide members with proof that their assertions about spending practices are accurate. But the NLRB now says those requirements no longer apply and so-called Beck objectors are no longer entitled to see proof that their money isn't included in union spending on politics. Maybe the Securities and Exchange Commission should waive business audits too.

The board also carved out certain lobbying from the list of political activities from which workers may withhold dues. "Lobbying expenses are chargeable to [Beck] objectors," the board wrote, "to the extent that they are germane to collective bargaining, contract administration, or grievance adjustment." That vague definition could cover nearly any lobbying expense.

FULL story at link.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

1. I'm confused

my union has a separate fund for political activity. The money for that does not come from dues.

[hay rick]

2. Mine too. PAC is separately financed without dues money.

NALC. The PAC is COLCPE.

[Omaha Steve]

3. These decisions eliminate the show the Beck the $ trail requirement

IF they so choose.