Top Texas AFL-CIO bosses blasted a bill introduced in the Tex. legislature to hold unions more accountable to members and increase member’s freedom in choosing how their dues are spent. State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran’s (R) bill would require unions to obtain annual written permission from every member to use their dues for political purposes. The measure would create a simple membership renewal card that would allow members to indicate their desire to have dues used for political purposes. The best excuse Texas AFL-CIO boss Ed Sills could come up with to justify his anti-freedom position is that the postcards would be a “giant, new administrative burden.” If the bill passes, violating the law would be a misdemeanor and bosses would be liable up to $1,000 per violation. [Houston Chronicle 1/6/99]
