Legal Question in Civil Litigation in New Jersey

Forced Labor Union Membership

Hello,

I don't know if this is the right section, but here is my problem.

I work at a supermarket, and my employer states that I have to be a member of the Union in order to work here. I do not want to be a member of the Union because I have no use for any of the benefits and the weekly fee that I have to pay is over what I make an hour.

I do not think that it is legal for me to be forced into accepting membership in this Union, so my main question is, can I leave my union, even though my employer says I have to be in it, and still keep my job?

For more clarification, quote from the Union contract book:

''A. All employees shall as a condition of employment become and remain members of the Union in good standing on and after the 31st day following the date of their first employmen.

B. Upon failure of any employee to become and remain a member of the Union within the period under conditions specified above, the Union shall notify the Employer, in writing, of such failure and the employer thereafter, discharge any such employee in accordance with the provision of the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947, as amended.''


Asked on 11/30/06, 6:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Corbett Corbett Law Firm LLC

Re: Forced Labor Union Membership

Your employer cannot require that you join the union but it can require that you pay the equivalent of the union dues that are allocated for collective bargaining activities. For a fuller discussion of the issue, Google "union shop" and select the Wikipedia article.

See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm

Read more
Answered on 11/30/06, 11:20 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More General Civil Litigation questions and answers in New Jersey