FoundationFoundation The bi-monthly newsletter of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, Inc.

Vol. XXVIII, No. 3 8001 Braddock RoadActionAction • Springfield, Virginia 22160 www.nrtw.org May/June 2008

Union death threats or actual violence against workers who Foundation Helps refuse to abandon their jobs Volvo Workers are all too common. constitutionally protected Right Targeted By to Work and said he “could understand” why the picketers Union Terror were upset with her. Foundation staff attorneys responded to this outrage by Employees endure vandalism calling on the Virginia Attorney and stalking while police General and the Pulaski County turn a blind eye Commonwealth’s Attorney to investigate “ethical and profes- DUBLIN, VA – A recent strike at a Volvo the low,” said Abraham Street, a Volvo sional breaches” by local police. plant in Dublin, Virginia may have employee targeted by union operatives. “I still can’t sleep at night,” ended, but fear lingers among workers All the while, the employees had Dominguez told Foundation Action, due to a vicious campaign of abuse and to endure a hellish swarm of union barely able to keep her composure. “I intimidation. picketers cursing at them, making crude can’t even go to a movie or watch TV For weeks, union militants targeted gestures at them, and spitting on their without my mind wandering and seeing employees who refused to walk off the vehicles on their way in and out of work those faces of the people I work with.” job during a United Auto Workers for weeks. see VOLVO STRIKE page 7 (UAW) union strike with a variety of “History shows that union militants harassment tactics, including vandalism, are encouraged to commit acts of threats of physical violence, and verbal ugly retaliation against non-striking abuse. Union thugs even made workers,” stated Mark Mix, president of IN THIS ISSUE public death threats, placing a coffin on the National Right to Work Foundation. display outside the union hall that read “Without the Foundation’s help, many “All Scabs Welcome Here.” victims of this dark form of forced 2 Foundation Fights Labor Board’s As the in-your-face intimidation unionism abuse would be hung out Erosion of Worker Rights escalated, several workers contacted the to dry.” 3 Big Labor to Dump Hundreds National Right to Work Foundation for of Millions into 2008 Elections help. Some employees had car windows Police turn a blind eye smashed; some found “jack-rocks” or 4 The Union Agenda nails scattered across their driveways, to union intimidation The Wall Street Journal while others reported being followed home after work. Outrageously, local police were High Court to Review Union 5 PAC Deductions “All those elementary, high school, initially unwilling to investigate middle school, even daycare kids ride by allegations of union bullying. One 28,000 Employees May Reclaim that coffin every day and want to know officer, citing his close personal ties to 6 $3 Million in Forced Dues ‘What is that there for?’ ‘Who’s going picketers, chastised Volvo employee in that coffin?’ That’s the lowest of Drema Dominguez for exercising her

2 Foundation Action May/June 2008 Foundation Fights Labor Board’s Erosion of Worker Rights Bureaucracy’s proposed rules would accelerate coercive union organizing campaigns

WASHINGTON, DC – In late March, The NLRB bureaucracy the National Right to Work Legal has a long record of Defense Foundation led national oppo- undermining employee sition to a package of sweeping rule freedom. The bureaurats changes proposed by the National Labor have difficulty accepting Relations Board (NLRB) bureaucrats that union bosses often have very different that would further undermine the right priorities than the workers. of American workers to freely choose whether or not to be represented by a union. The Foundation filed its formal position statement on behalf of itself and three employees victimized by coer- cive “card check” unionization drives in California, Ohio, and South Carolina. Under the new rules proposed by the power through strategic gerrymandering Act by unilaterally shortening the agency, union representatives could of bargaining units. statute of limitations for filing unfair bully company officials into jointly “The NLRB should not further erode labor practice charges from six months triggering a quick-snap union employees’ freedom to resist unwanted to seven days. The new rules would also “certification” election – even where not a unionization, nor should it so crassly leave determination of employee allega- single employee has expressed interest in provide a veneer of legitimacy to coercive tions of misconduct to the NLRB’s unionization. The proposed changes would and often illegal union organizing tactics,” Regional Directors, cutting the Board neuter the limited NLRB certification said Stefan Gleason, vice president of and appellate courts out of the process safeguards that currently exist while the National Right to Work Foundation. and foreclosing any avenue for appeal. effectively barring employees who will be The Foundation’s opposition also forced under a union control from challenging any misconduct or unfair Proposed rules make a demonstrates that the proposed changes labor practices that may occur during mockery of current law would rapidly accelerate a trend of coercive such an election. “top down” union organizing drives. The new rules would allow union The proposed NLRB rules appear to These organizing drives often feature officials to obtain monopoly bargaining contradict the National Labor Relations ugly “corporate campaigns” that subject nonunion companies to public relations broadsides, trumped-up lawsuits, and Foundation Action political pressure. If the NLRB’s devious new proce- dures go into effect, union officials will Rev. Fred Fowler Chairman, Board of Trustees Reed Larson Executive Committee Chairman obtain the government’s stamp of Mark Mix President approval by holding coercive quick snap Stefan Gleason Vice President and Editor in Chief elections under dubious circumstances. Ray LaJeunesse, Jr. Vice President and Legal Director Other groups filed negative comments about the proposed NLRB Distributed by the rules; however, disturbingly, the U.S. National Right to Work Legal Defense and Education Foundation, Inc. Chamber of Commerce was not among 8001 Braddock Road, Springfield, Virginia 22160 www.nrtw.org • 1-800-336-3600 them, essentially endorsing the proposal – even though it will almost certainly The Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization providing free legal aid to employees lead to an escalation of vicious union whose human or civil rights have been violated by abuses of compulsory unionism. All contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. organizing attacks against many Chamber members.

May/June 2008 Foundation Action 3 Big Labor to Dump Hundreds of Millions into 2008 Elections Right to Work Foundation leads efforts to halt use of forced dues for politics

SPRINGFIELD, VA – As the battle for president of the National Union officials like the the White House and Congress continues Right to Work Foundation. AFL-CIO’s John Sweeney for both political parties, Big Labor’s are placing an “all-in” bet forced-dues political spending spree is on the 2008 elections by Foundation pouring roughly one billion heating up. attorneys help dollars, much of it in forced Union bosses are using hundreds of dues, into the campaigns millions of workers’ forced-dues dollars employees fight of candidates sympathetic to subsidize political action committees, to forced unionism. political contributions, and boost the forced dues election hopes for candidates sympa- for politics thetic to forced unionism. But, with its re-energized fervor, the Big court system, you can bet that union Labor bosses are just inches away from officials will continue to press for more Big Labor bosses take aim reaching a great expansion of their coer- forced-dues power,” cautioned Mix. at a 2008 ‘trifecta’ cive union power. Consequently, Right to Work attorneys Unions face multiple seek to block much of the forced-dues- With this year’s election season in full funded political electioneering. Foundation class-action swing, Americans are staring down the For example, as detailed in the barrel of a radical expansion of union lawsuits November/December 2007 Foundation special privileges. Action, Robert Prime, an L-3 Meanwhile, Right to Work attorneys For starters, American Federation of Communications employee from are hitting union bosses hard in a variety State, County, and Municipal Employees Pensacola, Florida, recently prompted of class-action lawsuits when employees (AFSCME) union chief Gerald McEntee an administrative law judge of the object to paying for a union’s political laid out Big Labor’s plan for this election National Labor Relations Board agenda. cycle, “We’re going for the trifecta: the (NLRB) to strike down a nationwide For example, in Philadelphia, a House, the Senate, and the White House.” international union policy that requires group of twenty-one nonunion city And the American Federation of employees to object annually to prevent employees filed a lawsuit with help from Labor and Congress of Industrial union officials from spending their Foundation attorneys after union Organizations (AFL-CIO) union compulsory union dues for political officials illegally deducted forced dues already committed a record-breaking activities. from their paychecks that were used for $53 million in its campaign to mobilize The policy is a pervasive tactic used union political activities. grassroots efforts and elect a Big Labor- by union officials to prevent dissenting There, Right to Work attorneys are friendly president and Congress. AFL- employees from reclaiming forced fighting for the employees’ back dues CIO member unions as well as other union dues used to promote political used unlawfully for politics and other unions have publicly announced at least causes they oppose. nonbargaining activities and to stop $250 million more in spending. And this past summer, Right to Work such uses in the future. AFL-CIO union boss John Sweeney attorneys won a defensive victory at the Similarly, Right to Work attorneys confirmed, “the labor (sic) movement U.S. Supreme Court in Davenport v. are helping a large group of has taken over the functions at the Washington Education Association Pennsylvania Turnpike employees, grassroots level that the Democratic (WEA), where the High Court ruled who resigned their formal union Party used to exercise.” that union officials have no constitu- membership in opposition to the “A core priority for the Right to Work tional right to spend employees’ forced union’s use of forced dues seized from Foundation’s program is to force union dues for politics. And another sweeping their paychecks. officials to comply with prohibitions case is scheduled for argument this year. against collecting and using employees’ “Although we have won some crucial forced dues for politics,” said Mark Mix, legal battles at all levels of the nation’s see BIG LABOR page 8

4 Foundation Action May/June 2008

“To this, unions will add passage of “card check,” which would outlaw secret ballots in union organizing elections. Alongside will be legislation to make union officials the exclusive bargaining agents of most police, fire The Union Agendaall Street Journal How bad does Big Labor want. and rescue personnel. Then there’s the biggie - so by Kimberly A. Strassel for The W this? Consider f.what Mrs. it Clintonwill get and if thatMr the House ofk. money pays of big that most officials don’t talk about it k Obama visited vite one bac Obama have already pledged a rewrite ac t wait to in of Nafta and an end to more trade deals. y Clinton and Bar bor can’ Both promise to throw government publicly. Tucked into the 1947 Taft-Hartley Hillar eek, and La money at new union-only jobs, to boost es. A global unemployment insurance, to penalize Labor this w ho car How bad does Big Labor want that hire overseas, and to- W -paying,- companies d pas Act is a provision called 14(b), which allows hich one? Consider the desperation. take a run at “universal”unions willhealth adh care. would W this? To this, ” whic an- economy has meant higher d check, g o read the press coverage, “car g- T more flexible jobs, and a U.S. work - sage of et ballots in union or for “Right to Work” states. Big Labor last unions are as split as the rest of the force that sees little value in unions. outlaw secr Alongside willficials be lethe Union membership has been in a free- country overAFL-CIO a Democratic has yet tonominee. endorse,- izing elections. e uniong entsof of most The giant unions hopelessly divided. fall for years, with private-sector mem tion to mak sonnel. took a run at deleting this section, and forcing corners. bership now at just 7.4% of the labor t isla e bargaining a t its member exclusiv escue per Locals fight it out state-to-state, squar force. Fights over how to stop this , fire and r gie - so big tha - f into their candidates’ bleeding have fractured the movement. police e’s the big bout it pub ing of hen ther t talk a Taft- more unionization, in the Johnson administra- The upcoming Pennsylvania primary Labor leaders worry that if they don’ e T ficials don’ reverse the trend soon, they’ll be out of most of ked into the 1947 has devolved into a slugfest over a huge y. Tuc ovision calledTo union vote, one .reason Obama why planned bothAFL-CIO Mrs.their a job. This is their shot. Unions ar f licl Act is a pr or “Right the HouseBy holdingwill cedofbe tley ws f tion. With a filibuster-proof Senate, they’d Clinton and Mr . ident ve for Har which allo bor last took ca- weeks around speeches to an conf atic and pliant. they’ 14(b), and for Democr sements, . Obama to states. Big La convention in Philly - creating Work” in the Republicans are gleefulThey underabout on big endors. Clinton and Mr - t deleting this section,tion, ili- have a far better shot.” both Mr esiden run a e unioniza With a f these divides, but the guys grinning o-union pr y. In ing mor ation. d have a widest are union bosses. pander to their demands,ecent historhance te, they’ stood long ago what even today theer some of the mosttes in pr r Johnson administroof Sena and the business community havev bor bosses seets, a enough,c uster-pr GOP This election is their bestilled tial candidate, la ven sea obbly b y of making o the Sena - ar better shot. yet to grasp. veryone is thrut this d three to se ili f shot in a half-centur b to ad way with f Unions want a Department of ize. As hen combinedto do awith w - Washington. Not e w licans, eady out spending Labor that will sit on corruption cases, xt to the bigvvy pr head of Repub y’re alr , Minnesota, - with a Clintons little ne or ,anthe Obama, sa te s. The e Virginia, water down financial disclosure rules, matter ation of Stayees, buster w Hampshirxico, Gerald McEntee eder in Ne New Me and turn a blind eye to the use of pen American F ado, . sion funds to influence boardroom deci the bor is looking, the Color - The National Labor Relations Big La fice . Alaska and Maine sions. County andy put Municipal it, alEmplo Of te How bad does Big Laborppr wantoved succinctl ecta” - the Ov-proof Sena - Board has three vacancies, which “trif ilibuster ewrite of s own slate would “This is their shot. Unions are confident the for a gest r this? Consider. The AFL-CIOthe moneyudg ethasand of amanpow $53 milork- Senate Democrats ’will refuse to fill this t, the big ica. - . Big Labor House and a f n Amer or them er so fard political b tion year - And after tha a recor filiated na ve bor law in moder president of include people favorable to proposals to House will be Democratic and pliant. By holding la “This is an all-ink Mix, bet f Work lion to help fundeet. 200,000 Its af union w The allow “mini-unions” within corporate ys Mar wn ers on the str national unions ha ” sa ights do tion will workplaces, or to rework job defini in 2008, tional Right t fto e union al and inter Associa t the Na , a group tha civ ed anothertion $200 million. tions to bring more positions under the off on big endorsements, they’ve forced both against coer pledg yees - Committeeenches National Educa f union umbrella. cycles go, they’re in ow $40 million viceto $50 Emplomillionked ofa The biggest obstacle to all this in the .tr “As market thr The Ser - power races. and intends would normally be the business com Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama to pander to national Union has mar s the . But with Democrats stronglyThe their peak, we’re in ourW ashington.trough, and Inter or politics, ork munity they’re looking for a clear two-year ies to w - ge W. Bush $100 milliony 2,000 f union member d in positioned to win, companies are reluc run” in an all-Democrat. Geor to pa Ad te their demands, creating some of the most How bad does Big Labor want- valent of their salar tant to upset the spolitical list of political masters.ge – probtrade, equi atic campaigns.ederal or sta this? Consider history on Democr y for f for 527s, corporate world’ has been eight years of anticorruption, with aces, and lems has also grown so lar s tenuremajority was defined union mone te r pro-union presidential candidates in recent probes and more union financial disclo. Bush political action committees, usiness paid leave, healthcare, environmental sure. Bill Clinton’ ge H.W or local and stas of thee bseen this by an antiunion GOP and f ho hav issues – that it has barely been able to Nafta as a bitter pill. Geor fic some astuteunity -member those w(as one puts it) y- focus on the union threat. history. In the Senate, labor bosses see a codified the Beck decision, allowing comm “tsunami” workers to withhold political dues. comingte union political spending ma Ronald Reagan broke the Theair unions’traf estima in 2008. controllers union. Even Jimmyguably Carterended top $1 billion chance to add three to seven seats, enough, was tightfisted with gifts.fin Act of fairs.1959, last political heyday ar with the Landrum-Grif when combined with wobbly Republicans, to which regulated internal union af do away with filibusters. They’re already out spending in New Hampshire, Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia, Alaska, and Maine.”

“The AFL-CIO has approved a record political budget of “This election is their best shot in a half-century of $53 million to help fund 200,000 union workers on the making over Washington. Not everyone is thrilled with a street. Its affiliated national and international unions have Clinton or an Obama, but this matters little next to the big pledged another $200 million. The National Education prize. As Gerald McEntee, the head of the American Association will throw $40 million to $50 million at races. Federation of State County and Municipal employees, The Service Employees International Union has marked succinctly put it, Big Labor is looking for a “trifecta” - the off $100 million for politics, and intends to pay 2,000 union Oval Office, the House and a filibuster-proof Senate. And members the equivalent of their salaries to work on after that, the biggest rewrite of labor law in modern Democratic campaigns. Add in union money for federal or America. state political action committees, for 527s, and for local and “This is an all-in bet for them in 2008,” says Mark state races, and some astute members of the business Mix, president of the National Right to Work Committee, community – those who have seen this coming “tsunami” (as a group that fights down in the trenches against coercive one puts it) – estimate union political spending may top $1 union power.” billion in 2008.”

This Wall Street Journal article (April 4, 2008) is reprinted for educational purposes. May/June 2008 Foundation Action 5 High Court to Review Union PAC Deductions Idaho law limited use of taxpayer funds to help union political fundraising

WASHINGTON, DC – On March 31, local governments should not act as political speeches in a public park. 2008, the United States Supreme Court bagmen for union political funds.” But the joint amicus brief filed by the granted a writ of certiorari in the National Right to Work Foundation National Right to Work Foundation- noted that the decision forces Idaho supported case of Ysursa v. Pocatello Activist ruling threatens taxpayers to subsidize union political Education Association. employees’ freedom activities by offering valuable payroll The nine justices will review a Ninth deduction services to union officials. Circuit Court of Appeals decision that Idaho’s Voluntary Contributions Act Even more alarmingly, union lawyers limits the applicability of an Idaho state outlaws payroll deductions by state and could seize upon the Ninth Circuit law banning payroll deductions for local governments for union political Court’s reasoning to launch fresh attacks union political action committees activity, but the Ninth Circuit Court’s on state Right to Work laws as applied to (PACs) from state employees’ paychecks. decision invalidated key segments of the local governments. The National Right to Work Legal legislation. “Stripping union officials of their payroll deduction privileges is good Defense Foundation, the Sutherland The Ninth Circuit ruling concluded public policy,” said Gleason. “In fact, the Institute, and the Utah Taxpayers that the payroll deduction State of Idaho should have gone much Association filed a joint amicus ban could only apply to union further than it did - by banning outright payroll deductions at the state curiae (“friend of the court”) the use of public facilities to collect any government level, and that brief urging the Supreme union funds whatsoever.” local government bodies Court to grant an appeal filed Foundation attorneys are already by the Idaho Attorney were independent political working on an additional legal brief on General. entities outside the reach the merits of the issue. The case will be “We applaud the Supreme of state law. In fact, the federal argued before the U.S. Supreme Court Court’s decision to revisit appellate court, often criticized in the fall 2008 term. as activist by the legal the wrongheaded ruling by The United States community, created First the 9th Circuit Court of Supreme Court will Visit our website Appeals,”said Stefan Gleason, examine the practice Amendment protections for vice president of the National of local governments union payroll deductions for breaking news: Right to Work Foundation. acting as bagmen for equivalent to the protections www.nrtw.org “Just like state governments, union political funds. enjoyed by citizens making Important Tax Benefits to You Tax-deductible gifts of cash are excellent. But a gift of stock or other securities to the National Right to Work Foundation can provide donors with an even bigger tax break.

Not only will you be able to support the Foundation and our expanding strategic litigation and media programs right now, but you can save significantly on taxes at the same time. Appreciated securities are subject to a capital gains tax when they are sold. If you donate a gift of stock (that you have owned for more than one year) to the Foundation, the capital gains are not taxable to you. At the same time, you will benefit from a charitable tax deduction for the FULL fair market value of the securities as of the date of the gift. Please, consider a gift of stock today. The Foundation’s investment account information is as follows: Electronic Transfer of Securities: c/o National Right to Work Legal Defense and Education Foundation, Inc. UBS Financial Services, Inc. DTC#0221 Account # WS-39563 If you do decide to send a gift of stock, please let us know at 1-800-336-3600 Ext. 3303.

6 Foundation Action May/June 2008 28,000 Employees May Reclaim $3 Million in Forced Dues Foundation wins battle against 2005 political campaign expenditures

SACRAMENTO, CA – A federal judge Nearly 100 crazed union militants has ordered the California State surrounded a Foundation press confer- Employees Association (CSEA) union ence in Sacramento to shout down the to offer rebates to as many as 28,000 employee plaintiffs. Foundation vice nonunion state employees totaling up to president Stefan Gleason is pictured here with California State Senator $3 million. The ruling was a result of a Tom McClintock (left). class-action lawsuit brought against the CSEA by nine state employees with free legal help from the National Right to your money to support what you’re Work Legal Defense Foundation. supposed to think.’” The employees objected to a 2005 In the Foundation-won decision CSEA “supplementary assessment,” Chicago Teachers Union v. Hudson, the which forced through a 25% increase in U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public union dues to pay for a political employees have a right to due process campaign against Governor Arnold stated National Right to Work under the First and Fourteenth Schwarzenegger’s reform initiatives on Foundation Vice President Stefan Amendments that requires notification the 2005 statewide ballot. Gleason. of how their forced union dues are CSEA union officials are now “Only by passing a Right to Work law spent. required to provide nonunion state that would ban forced union dues com- While public employees unfortunately employees with full financial disclosure, pletely can the Golden State shelter its can be compelled to pay for unwanted notice that they may object to the use of employees from similar future union forced union “representation” that the forced dues for political activities, abuse of their constitutional rights.” undermines their individual interests, and retroactive refunds to all who object they cannot belawfully required to fund to the political expenditures. Multiple RTW Foundation- union political activities. But CSEA CSEA officials imposed an union officials didn’t even bother to give “Emergency Temporary Assessment to aided lawsuits inspire California state employees an opportunity Build a Political Fight-Back Fund” for a employees to defend rights to object to their politically motivated broad range of political activities, “special assessment.” The CSEA union including advertising, direct mail, and The plaintiffs were inspired to stand hierarchy must now give workers 45 get-out-the-vote drives. The additional up for their rights by the actions of days to object to the fee hikes. assessment was completely unrelated to several California teachers, who found workplace representation and included themselves in the same boat and sought Golden State still rife with no provision to allow nonunion legal aid from the Foundation as well. employees to opt-out. Union officials Four elementary school teachers and forced unionism abuse raised approximately $12 million in two university professors courageously supplementary dues in 2005, $3 million stepped forward to object to a similar Despite the court’s favorable ruling, of which came from workers who were “special assessment” imposed by Golden State employees continue to not union members. California Teacher Association (CTA) suffer from a lack of Right to Work California District Court Judge and California Faculty Association protections. Morrison C. England Jr. noted that (CFA) union officials. However, the U.S. Supreme Court “a contrary decision from the one Teacher Judy Liegmann aptly recently agreed to review a California reached today would allow unions to summarized the central objection to law that rubberstamps coercive union run roughshod over dissenting non- unions’ extortionate political fundraising: organizing in the Foundation-supported members...” “I resent having a monolithic, powerful, case, Chamber v. Brown. Read more “Though an encouraging victory for coercive organization like the CTA about this case in the cover story of the these employees, this ruling only announce to me what I think, and then January/February 2008 edition of removes a few warts from the witch,” tell me, ‘And by the way, we’re seizing Foundation Action. May/June 2008 Foundation Action 7 Volvo Strike Again Reveals Union Intimidation Tactics continued from cover

Foundation supporters may watch “The law is being ignored while an Drema Dominguez Dominguez and her coworkers tell ugly campaign of union terror has been of Pulaski County, their compelling stories online at waged against my client and other Virginia could barely www.youtube.com/RightToWork. non-striking workers,” Foundation Staff keep her composure Attorney Derek Poteet wrote to Roche. as she described her Although Pulaski County Volvo encounters with union militants. Police chief denies reports employees suffered greatly, their plight but apparently covered tracks is symptomatic of a broader pattern eye to union-related violence. of abuse. Data from the National Union militants frequently initiate After media reports surfaced Institute for Labor Relations Research physical violence to intimidate dissenters. documenting police inaction, Pulaski suggests that union-related violence is In one high-profile case, Foundation County Police Chief G.W. Roche consistently under-reported and rarely attorneys helped former University of released a misleading statement to the results in successful prosecutions. Miami football player Rod Carter after press, stating that the allegations were he was beaten and stabbed several times “totally, completely, categorically false.” with an ice-pick by Teamsters union The conduct of local law enforcement, Strike retaliation often militants for continuing to do his job however, suggests otherwise. In fact, one uglier and more widespread during a Teamsters strike. Foundation officer was reportedly disciplined after attorneys won Carter an undisclosed reports of police inaction were made public. Fear of retaliation can be a powerful settlement. Foundation staff attorneys immediately motivator, and intimidated workers are “Violence constitutes the ugly under- responded to Roche with a letter and a often unwilling to come forward under belly of compulsory unionism,” stated Virginia Freedom of Information Act duress. Meanwhile, local police who lack Mix. “Foundation attorneys stand ready, request for all documents regarding any the resources or the political courage willing, and able to help workers resist disciplinary action taken against police to take on powerful union interests in this most outrageous form of forced officers who refused to protect the public. their communities often turn a blind unionism abuse.” Remembering Charlton Heston: Legendary Actor and Right to Work Champion BEVERLY HILLS, CA – A self- Heston led a television advertisements opposing described “union man” and, at the public cam- the Pushbutton Strike Bill, a same time, champion of the Right to paign in the measure that would have allowed Work principle, legendary actor early 1980s to union bosses to make extortionate Charlton Heston passed away on April inform other demands and win virtually any strike 5, 2008 at the age of 84. Best known for actors of they ordered. roles in such films as “El-Cid,” “Ben their right to Throughout his professional life, Hur,” and “The Ten Commandments,” refrain from Heston served as a principled Heston passionately believed in the formal union membership. advocate for the cause of human right of Americans to work without Heston was publicly involved in liberty. His contributions will be being forced to join or pay dues to a several high-profile Right to Work fondly remembered. To see a video union. political battles and made a number of clip featuring Heston’s support for Though he founded one union, television appearances on behalf of the the Right to Work cause, please visit belonged to four others, and served as National Right to Work Committee. For http://www.youtube.com/ president of the Screen Actors Guild, example, in 1993, he starred in a series of RightToWork.

8 Foundation Action May/June 2008 Big Labor Message from Mark Mix continued from page 3

According to Foundation-won precedents, workers are entitled to an audited disclosure of the union’s expen- President ditures and union official must give National Right to Work employees an opportunity to object to Legal Defense Foundation paying forced dues spent for activities unrelated to collective bargaining. Dear Foundation Supporter: Right to Work pushes back against unions’ politicking The passing of Charlton Heston marks a sad loss for all of us at the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. Heston (as detailed As the AFL-CIO union boasts its on page 7 of Foundation Action) was a great champion of the rights of “program is the biggest political individual employees. program in the country,” Right to Work attorneys are working overtime to Few successful Hollywood actors stick their necks out to defend protect the limited legal rights of freedom, but Heston did so repeatedly. employees who protest using their forced-dues dollars for political advocacy. Even though he founded one union, was a member of four others, and “The Right to Work Foundation is even served as president of the Screen Actors Guild union, Heston was a the only organization of its kind that dedicated and effective champion of liberty and an opponent of forced stands up for employees’ rights when unionism. union bosses confiscate and misuse their forced dues for politics,” ended Mix. Heston led efforts from inside unions to educate actors about their rights not to pay for union politics, as secured in Foundation-won Supreme Court cases, and he starred in television advertisements to stop Newsclips Requested union boss power grabs in Congress. He also lent his name and his voice to our efforts to recruit thousands of new supporters of the National Right The Foundation asks to Work Foundation. supporters to keep their scissors sharp for clipping news items I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Heston, and you will not be surprised to know that he was not only a patriot, but a true gentleman. exposing the role union His passing reminds me of how grateful I am to be working for all the great officials play in disruptive strikes, people who fight against forced unionism and for every person who outrageous lobbying, supports the National Right to Work Foundation with their talents and gifts. and political campaigning. Please clip any stories that appear Charlton Heston’s dedication – and yours – to our crusade is what in your local paper and mail makes it possible to beat back the scourge of compulsory unionism. them to: Many thanks for your continued support. NRTWLDF Attention: Newsclip Appeal Sincerely, 8001 Braddock Road Springfield, VA 22160

Supporters can also email online Mark Mix stories to [email protected]