EDUCATION: An exploration of ideas, issues and trends in education : IN BRIEF : Union ‘Fair Share’ Bill Goes to Davis

Twenty unions representing 93,000 employees at California’s public universities are just a signature away from getting the biggest windfall in their history.

The California Legislature has approved a controversial bill that would force all employees covered by union contracts to become dues-paying members or pay a “fair share” fee--about 85% of regular dues.

That translates into millions of dollars from the 74,000 employees at the University of California and California State University systems who are covered by union contracts but have frustrated their unions by refusing to pay dues. As it stands now, 79% of clerical and maintenance workers, police officers, lab technicians and others represented by unions do not pay dues.

All that is needed to turn the bill into law is a few strokes of the pen from Gov. Gray Davis. The governor has not yet said if he will sign the legislation. But he recently nudged legislators to amend the bill to give employees a greater voice in the decision.

Employees in any bargaining unit can reject the dues assessment if 30% of them petition for an election, agree to pay election costs and persuade 50% of all members--not just those voting--to cast ballots to repeal it.

Opponents say that such an effort would be politically unfeasible. In a mass appeal to lobby the governor, Cal State faculty opposing the fee described the situation this way: “Once the fee goes in place, it will remain forever.”