The Convenience of Fraudulence

by | Nov 9, 2015 | News

On October 1, 2014, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers enacted a policy that requires members to bring a written request and proof of identification to the union hall if they wish to opt out of membership or dues deduction. This, they say, is due to “a history of members losing their membership through fraudulently submitted paperwork.” In a move that surprised many, the NLRB General Counsel alleged this policy to be unlawful stating that the NLRA “prohibits any union from prescribing any particular method for resigning membership or revoking a dues check-off authorization.” Administrative Law Judge David I. Goldman disagreed – ruling on October 25, 2015 that while the application of the rule “may not survive scrutiny,” the rule itself simply provides a “manner and place” for resignation and does not prevent the act of resigning for any member at any time. When put that way, it seems fair; but what about the flip side? Shouldn’t the process for signing up for union membership and dues check-off be just as thorough? It should be, but is it? That’s how SEIU Healthcare Michigan took more than $34 million from home health care workers in a dues scheme that lasted for seven years. They accomplished that through mail in ballots; and now, the NLRB has approved the use of electronic signatures. While that certainly sounds convenient, it’s just a matter of time before we see it completely backfire.

INK Newsletter

APPROACHABILITY MINUTE

GET OUR RETENTION TOOLKIT

PUBLICATIONS

Archives

Categories