Unions: Workers should be free not to join them

Re: “Unions: Attacks on labor come fast and hard,” (TNT letter, 9/11).

The writer complains about potentially unfair treatment of the unions. But who is out bargaining for peoples’ freedom to not have to join a union that does not support all their members’ rights?

An awful lot of people in this state are required as a condition of employment to join a union, not one of their choosing, and pay dues that support activities they do not know about or may not support. I am pointing out professionals like teachers, law enforcement officers and other public service members who do not have the freedom of choice because the laws in this state, and a few others, demand workers subordinate these freedoms to the will of union, which does not always support the needs of the workforce first.

Freedom should mean an equal opportunity, not just for those in power to force the conversations at some bargaining table behind closed doors. Let’s ask our legislators to get to work on this injustice ASAP.

This story was originally published September 12, 2016 at 12:19 PM with the headline "Unions: Workers should be free not to join them."