How Does the McCain-Feingold Bill Deal With the Beck Issue?
The new McCain-Feingold bill contains a real codification of the Beck decision. It will require unions to notify non-members each year of their right to object to the use of their agency fees for political activities. Employees who object will be entitled to a reduction in their fees and a reasonable explanation of how the amount of the reduction was calculated. What Is Wrong With Requiring Unions To Get Permission From Their Members To Spend Dues Money For Political Purposes? Senator Lott’s amendment is similar to the so-called “Paycheck Protection Act,” introduced as S. 9 by Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK). Not only does the amendment go beyond Beck and address a complicated issue of labor law in a campaign finance bill, on the merits it is bad policy. Unions are voluntary membership organizations. They are actually far more democratic than most organizations. A majority of employees must vote to unionize in the first place. Once a union is formed, the members elect their officers. If they d
