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Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Maryland Reporter: State employee unions will start collecting fees from non-members

http://marylandreporter.com/ State employee unions will start collecting fees from non-members

July 05, 2011

By Megan Poinski Megan@MarylandReporter.com

http://marylandreporter.com/2011/07/05/state-employee-unions-will-start-collecting-fees-from-non-members/

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/07/maryland-reporter-state-employee-unions.html

Starting this month, all of the state’s employees who are represented by two labor unions will be paying a service fee to the unions, even if they are not members.

The service fees authorized by a 2009 state law range from $161 to $388 a year. They were negotiated as part of the most recent contracts for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and the State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance. Both contracts went into effect July 1.

The fees are based on the theory that the unions furnish services that impact all employees. These services include negotiating health benefits and work conditions, or representing workers in disputes with managers. Those who don’t join the union and pay union dues have to pay a fee for that representation.

AFSCME

AFSCME represents 21,000 employees throughout state government, and about 8,500 of them are members of the union.

Sue Esty, associate director of AFSCME Maryland, said that the fee will start coming out of non-members’ paychecks during the first entire pay period in the new fiscal year, which began Friday. Members’ dues are $14.96 a pay period. Most non-members will also have to pay $14.96 a pay period, though non-members who object to the union’s political activities will be paying just $10.80 out of each paycheck. Additionally, non-members who object to paying the union on religious grounds will either have their money donated to a nonprofit, or not have to pay.

AFSCME representatives said that there are still ongoing negotiations that may lower fees for non-members. The new fees are expected to generate over $4 million for the union… http://marylandreporter.com/2011/07/05/state-employee-unions-will-start-collecting-fees-from-non-members/

20110705 MR St emp unions will start colleting fees

State employee unions will start collecting fees from non-members

July 05, 2011

Starting this month, all of the state’s employees who are represented by two labor unions will be paying a service fee to the unions, even if they are not members. The service fees authorized by a 2009 state law range from $161 to $388 a year, and will bring in over $4 million for the unions. Continue Reading...

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Some State Highway Administration employees violated ethics rules, failed to fully review contract bids and shifted government funds among contracts without authorization, according to an investigation by legislative auditors released Friday. Contractors also hired state employees shortly after they had approved contracts for the companies. Continue Reading...

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State Roundup, July 5, 2011

Audit of SHA turns up potential ethics violations, findings turned over to the Attorney General; state employee union to collect dues from non-payers; O’Malley names five to state redistricting panel, which meets tomorrow; 30 wineries now signed up for direct shipments; Cardin greens up over EPA’s regulation of pesticides; Wargotz mulls run against Cardin; more join chorus asking Leslie Johnson to resign; some consider running for her seat; and former Del. David Boschert dies at 63.

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State Roundup, July 1, 2011

Sen. Kittleman says Maryland Republicans can learn from New York to help pass gay marriage law; Anti-DREAM Act petitioners hit 100,000 signatures, state Board of Elections to update signature certification online; businesses continue to express concern over implementation of new booze tax hike while health advocates praise the tax; Leslie Johnson pleads guilty in FBI corruption probe, plans to stay on Prince George’s Council till her sentencing in the fall, and long-time reporter Sun reporter and columnist Larry Carson says farewell with a story on Howard County Democrats organizing for Obama.

July 2011, State Roundup Comments (2)

State Roundup, June 30, 2011

Retailers scramble to get ready for the new alcohol tax hike; allowing wine shipping among other new laws to take effect tomorrow; DREAM Act won’t be among them however; Ruppersberger backs merger of AT&T and T-Mobile; and Anne Arundel government, schools split on gay partner benefits.