GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A United Parcel Service worker has filed a federal complaint to stop the local Teamsters union from deducting union dues.

Gary Frost of Grand Rapids informed Teamsters Local 406 that he wanted to revoke his dues deduction, and opt out of union dues under new right-to-work laws.

Frost was told by union officials he would have to wait for a “union-designated ‘window period’” before he could stop paying dues, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation said in a statement.

The union hasn’t provided Frost with a copy of his dues deduction authorization or told him when the “window period” will expire, the foundation said.

Frost filed an unfair labor practice charge against the union with the National Labor Relations Board. The foundation is providing free legal assistance.

Michigan became a right-to-work state in late March. The controversial law prohibits new contracts requiring workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment.

Frost was not a member of the union, but had to pay union dues and fees before right-to-work laws made dues payments voluntary.

Frost informed the union he was opting out of paying dues after the union’s bargaining agreement with UPS expired on Aug. 1.

“Teamster union bosses are trying to keep workers from exercising their rights under Michigan’s Right to Work law,” foundation president Mark Mix said in a statement.

“Schemes like this show that the ultimate goal of union officials is more forced dues collected from workers, even when rank-and-file employees want nothing to do with a union.”

Ron Holzgen, secretary-treasurer, of the local Teamsters union, hadn't seen the complaint, but said, "If and when we do, we will, as always, cooperate fully."

Frost is also a part-time security officer for the Grand Rapids Press office on Monroe Avenue NW.

John Agar covers crime for MLive/Grand Rapids Press E-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar