Political Use of Union Dues

Re Laura Bekeart Dietz’s April 10 letter: Union members currently have the right and opportunity to inform their unions that they do not want their dues money spent for political purposes. The Supreme Court’s Beck decision provides us with that right. Prop. 226 adds nothing to that right.

What Prop. 226 does do is silence the political voice for all working people. My union lobbies on Capitol Hill for safety improvements that benefit everyone who travels by air. Issues such as mandatory child restraints and cabin air quality both have tremendous impact on airline passengers. If 226 passes, we will lose our opportunity to make these important changes. Meanwhile, corporations would have no such constraints.

The administration of 226 will be a nightmare. Collecting and monitoring signature cards on an annual basis will cost millions of dollars. Who will pay for that? Do we, as taxpayers and consumers, wish to have this imposed on us by out-of-state millionaires who themselves will profit from the passage of 226?

CHARLIE COSTELLO

Local President, Assn. of

Flight Attendants, L.A.

* We pay taxes as citizens of America; we pay union dues as members of a union. Do we all agree with how our taxes are spent? No! We elect a Congress and president and they do what they think best. Now, this is the same for your union leadership. The dues they spend are for our good, our future.

Your vote for anti-labor representatives is a vote for the return of the sweatshop.

PAT CURIALE

Westminster