Ranking Member Cassidy Introduces Legislation Preventing Unions from Abusing Workers’ Dues to Promote Antisemitism, Hateful Ideology

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Union Members Right to Know Act, legislation to prevent unions from using member dues to promote antisemitism and other hateful ideologies without workers' consent. Since the October 7 terror attack on Israel, labor unions have repeatedly engaged in antisemitic activities, and reportedly retaliated against members who disagreed with the union's actions.

"The purpose of a union is to represent their members, not force them to fund extreme political agendas against their will," said Dr. Cassidy. "Union members pay unions to represent them before management. This legislation keeps unions focused on that."

Under Communications Workers v. Beck, union members have a right to opt out of their dues going to union activities not related to collective bargaining, including organizing other workplaces, lobbying, and political contributions. Additionally, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act allows employees not to pay dues or fees to a union based on their religious beliefs or practices.

During the Committee's investigation into union antisemitism, Cassidy found that many workers are unaware they have the right to pull their union dues from antisemitic activities that have nothing to do with collective bargaining. He also found that unions make it difficult to opt out of these unrelated costs, including bogging down workers with excess litigation that ends up costing more than the actual dues.

Cassidy's legislation amends current law to empower workers to opt into paying for any union activities not related to collective bargaining, ensuring their union dues are not used to promote antisemitism or any other bigotry. The legislation also requires unions to clearly inform members of their rights under Beck and Title VII, and certify their compliance with these provisions to the Department of Labor.

The legislation is supported by Americans for Tax Reform, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Heritage Action, Institute for the American Worker, Independent Women's Voice, and the National Right to Work Committee.

"Three and a half decades after the Supreme Court's ruling in Communications Workers of America v. Beck, the rights afforded by that decision are understood by too few workers. That's because unions have little incentive to inform their members of them. It is fitting and proper therefore that Congress step in to ensure that workers are fully informed of all their rights under the law," said Sean Higgins, Research Fellow, Competitive Enterprise Institute. "The Union Members Right to Know Act would guarantee that all workers represented by a union know that they can demand that their dues be used only for collective bargaining purposes or other services essential to unions' ability to function and generally keep the lights on. It allows workers to prevent their hard-earned dollars being diverted to pay for political activities that they do not support. The legislation would therefore merely codify into law what the Supreme Court has already ruled. This is separate from right to work laws, which exist in only 27 states. All workers, regardless of where they live, have Beck rights and Congress should ensure that they know this. Unions should, ideally, exist to serve their members, not vice-versa. It should not be a burden on a union to comply with Beck and support their own members' rights. For these reasons, it would be wise for Congress to pass this legislation."

"Many union leaders today misappropriate their members' dues to advocate for their own political agendas. We're past due to rein in union leaders' unchecked power to use their members' dues to fund whatever leadership wants without workers' knowledge. The Union Members Right to Know Act puts a stop to this practice and ensures no American worker should ever have to foot the bill for causes that violate his or her rights and values," said Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President, Heritage Action.

"At a time when major unions are blatantly disregarding the opinions and interests of their members, I applaud Senator Cassidy for introducing legislation that will ensure workers know their union rights and enhance them," said F. Vincent Vernuccio, President, Institute for the American Worker.

Read the full bill here.

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