Alisa Priddle

Detroit Free Press

DETROIT -- A Ford worker has filed charges against the UAW and the automaker seeking a partial refund of his union dues.

Todd Lemire, a tool-and-die maker in Dearborn for 16 years, filed charges last week with the National Labor Relations Board. He is receiving free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Foundation.

If Lemire and the foundation prevail, the case could encourage other workers to take the same action and hinder the UAW's fund-raising for political purposes. It would be a symbolic victory for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican legislators who pushed through Michigan's right-to-work law in late 2012.

The UAW in Michigan may automatically deduct dues from members' pay through the Sept. 15, 2015, expiration of its current contracts with the Detroit Three automakers. Under future contracts, workers in the state will be able to opt out of paying any union dues.

Lemire sent a letter to Ford and the UAW on April 7 saying he will pay dues to cover core activities performed by the union such as collective bargaining, contract administration and grievance processing, but he objects to the portion that supports the Democratic Party.

When the UAW-Ford national labor contract expires next year, Lemire plans to opt out of paying dues altogether, under right-to-work legislation.

For now, Lemire is using his Beck rights, referring to the 1988 Supreme Court decision that found unions cannot force nonmembers to pay for non-core union activities.

Lemire has recouped the $98 he was owed over three months, but remains frustrated because Ford continues to deduct the full dues amount from his paycheck, then the union reimburses him. He feels this violates the National Labor Relations Act and his rights, which led to the charges.

"No worker should be forced to jump over hurdles to exercise their right to refrain from union affiliation," said Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Foundation. "This case underscores just how important Michigan's Right to Work law is for workers."

Beck rights have been available to workers for decades, but few invoke them, said Kristin Dziczek, director of the Labor & Industry Group at the Center for Automotive Research. She does not think this case will incite other workers to file similar claims.

As for union members ceasing to pay dues after the UAW contracts expire, Dziczek said there could be a drop in dues-paying members. But she noted that the UAW has not suffered significant declines in membership or dues at locals in other right-to-work states, such as Indiana.

The UAW did not make anyone available to comment.