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Stop the 'paycheck deception' scam--tell your legislators to vote no on HB 364 and SB 7

Berry Craig
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Don't be fooled

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 9005 

They’re back.

Six years ago, the GOP-majority General Assembly, egged on by Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, passed a trifecta of union-busting legislation: a “right to work” law, a measure repealing the prevailing wage and a “paycheck protection” bill, the latter designed to make it harder for unions to collect dues. But the latter bill was watered down to having nearly no impact, likely because the bill's supporters didn't have the votes to pass it. 

The union-busters now enjoy such a supermajority in the House and Senate that they can afford to lose the votes of some pro-labor Republicans. So they’re pushing twin bills -- HB 364 and SB 7-- both of which would prohibit public employee union members from paying dues and make Political Action Committee contributions through paycheck deduction. Based on amendments to both bills, the legislation is mainly aimed at teachers who belong to the Kentucky Education Association.

The companion bills passed out of their respective committees Thursday morning and are evidently bound for a floor vote, possibly as early as Friday morning.

So please contact your legislators as soon as you can and tell them to VOTE NO on HB 364 & SB 7

You can:

-- Send an email at: https://act.aflcio.org/letters/tell-your-state-rep-to-no-on-hb-364-its-your-paycheck-your-voice/?source=direct_link&fbclid=IwAR1qHFyIyRsfDK0wX6oe3TAzg-DJ6OjrLSIVcLwXnuO7BESKv4dGNJkLftk

-- Call (844) 994-4545 to leave a message.

Meanwhile, for the umpteenth time: The union-busters are also lying when they say unions “bosses” force rank-and-file members to give money to candidates they don’t like. Political contributions are strictly voluntary and go into a special fund separate from monies the unions use to represent their members to management.

Like “right to work” laws – which permit hourly workers in a union shop to enjoy union-won wages and benefits without paying dues or a service fee for union representation—“paycheck protection” laws are a scam.

“Don't let the name fool you, what proponents have labeled 'paycheck protection' should be named 'paycheck Deception,' the Kentucky State AFL-CIO warns. 

Bills like HB 364 and SB 7 have been backed by “extremist legislators and their corporate backers for nearly 25 years,” the state AFL-CIO adds. “Ten years ago, when similar legislation was pushed in Missouri, the National AFL-CIO shared this on their website:"

Working America: 10 Things You Should Know About Paycheck Deception

  • Paycheck deception laws create unfair regulations.
  • Paycheck deception laws limit free speech.
  • Paycheck deception laws have, and have always had, one purpose: attack unions.
  • Proponents call them “paycheck protection” laws.
  • Paycheck protection laws are not “campaign finance reform.”
  • Union members already have a choice.
  • Union members are not calling for these laws.
  • Paycheck deception laws hurt donations to nonprofits.
  • Paycheck deception laws are often found unconstitutional.
  • Politicians admit that paycheck deception laws are a stepping stone to further union restrictions.

The union-busters know they’re pulling a fast one on public employees. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have added the bills as last-minute agenda items for today’s House Education Committee and the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Investment Committee.

So please tell your legislators to VOTE NO on HB 364 & SB 7

You can:

-- Send an email at: https://act.aflcio.org/letters/tell-your-state-rep-to-no-on-hb-364-its-your-paycheck-your-voice/?source=direct_link&fbclid=IwAR1qHFyIyRsfDK0wX6oe3TAzg-DJ6OjrLSIVcLwXnuO7BESKv4dGNJkLftk

-- Call (844) 994-4545 to leave a message.

Please do it now.