Union Representation

* Re “Even Poor Norma Rae Got to Vote on the Union,” July 25.

Attorney-professor Melanie Stallings Williams demonstrates a rule for arguing when the evidence is against you: Since jurors aren’t so smart anyway, confuse them. She stunningly distorts the legislation she is attacking. She must hope that we will decide that her case has to be true because it is so farfetched. First she treats us with the Rush Limbaugh version of American labor history (a Norma Rae joke, corrupt union bosses, the whole load). Unions are increasingly irrelevant, she tells us. But even the American Medical Assn. now insists that professionals who work for large organizations need collective bargaining. Finally, good strategy when you are out on a limb, she feigns hurt. Some boorish union spokesperson called her a “freeloader.” In fact, she explains, she is a “free rider,” one who takes the benefits of services without paying for them.

Senate Bill 645, the object of Stallings Williams’ ridicule, would require University of California and Cal State University employees who have collective bargaining to pay a fair share of the expenses for their representation. The law also allows employees to rescind the fair-share dues obligation if more than 50% of them decide that the fee structure has not brought them improved services. The U.S. Supreme Court has determined that fair-share dues are constitutional and serve a public purpose. There is nothing sinister about SB 645.

PAT NICHELSON

Professor, Religious Studies,

Cal State Northridge