By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Some Missouri state employees will learn today (Monday) whether unions will be able to deduct fees from paychecks of those who don't want to be in a union.
A state legislative committee, called the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, will discuss in Jefferson City so-called "fair share" fees.
Grant Williams is with the Service Employees International Union, one of two unions that represents state workers. He says non-union workers pay the fee because they benefit and are under the same contract that unions have negotiated.
"It'd be kind of like you saying or me saying I really don't want to pay my federal income taxes anymore, but I sure do like what our Armed Forces are doing and I sure do appreciate the highway system. But I really don't want to pay that federal income tax," he said.
Williams says unions representing private sector workers already use the fees. But Republicans who hold the majority on the committee question why anyone who doesn't want to join should give any money to a union.
The panel's chairman, Representative Richard Byrd of Kirkwood, says he's heard from concerned state employees.
"Right now they're able to take 100% of their paycheck after taxes home to their family," he said. "Under this rule, if it's enacted, part of that money - against their will - will be going to a union in which they are refusing to become a member of."