Workers unite: You can opt of your union dues

Union workers: Did you know that you can opt of at least some of dues to Big Labor?

The Heritage Foundation explains:

Not every terminated employee wins a $10,000 settlement, but Jeff Richmond did. The West Virginian utility worker refused to donate to his union's political action committee. So the Laborers International Union had him fired.

Richmond sued, arguing his termination was illegal, and got both his dues refunded and back pay. His victory illustrates a little-known fact: unionized workers can opt out of some or all union dues.

Many union members don't know this, but they can. In the 24 states with right-to-work laws, union dues are entirely optional. In these states, unions cannot force workers to pay dues. In the remaining states, they can - but only to a point.

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech. No one can force Americans to financially promote views they oppose. So unions cannot compel workers to support their political activities. Supreme Court rulings let workers opt out of dues spent on politics. Jeff Richmond's union and employer had to give him a refund and back pay because they ignored this right.