UFCW local 99 has filed a federal complaint against the state of Arizona claiming legislation passed last month violates the Constitution. The new law bars unions from picketing only to coerce an employer into unionization and makes it easier for a business to sue a union for defamation. Union members can now immediately stop dues deduction as the new law nullifying union rules that require dues payments for a set time period or until a contract expires. The UFCW was joined in the complaint by a Plumbers and Pipefitters union local. The UFCW contends the new law is only retaliation for the union’s aggressive campaign against Bashas grocery store chain in 2008. The local ran an nasty smear campaign, using a front organization to accuse the grocery chain of selling expired goods and racism against Hispanics. In the complaint the UFCW claims the right to picket any employer, even without employee support or any evidence the employees want unionization or are mistreated by their employer. The union also argues that its financial stability supersedes a member’s right to immediately end dues deductions.
