A new suit was filed on February 17, 2010. With free legal aid from National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation attorneys, a group of Michigan home-based day-care providers have filed a class action federal lawsuit against government union officials and Governor Granholm's Administration for illegally forcing them to pay union dues.

http://www.nrtw.org/en/blog/michigan-home-care-providers-file-class-action-02172010

What happened to our Constitutional rights? The Freedom of assembly is the freedom to associate with, or organize any groups, gatherings, clubs, or organizations that one wishes.

Freedom of assembly is a key right in democratic countries, as it allows its citizens to form or join any political party, special interest group, or union, without any government restrictions.

I question the constitutionality of being forced to support a union against my will as a self-employed business owner. We are not employees of the state …how is it that we can be forced to organize?

I am amazed that more people aren't up -in-arms over this! Many seem to believe this doesn't affect them so they ignore it. But, the ramifications of this should concern EVERYBODY! First, we are SELF-EMPLOYED! As such we should not have a bargaining group. We don't get benefits. We don't have tax withholding. We are NOT employees! What if the government suddenly decided to 'unionize' every grocery store owner and remove 'union dues' from their food stamp reimbursement! Many childcare providers have said they never saw any discussion of this supposed 'card-check' ballot scam.

We pay taxes as business owners, to the state of Michigan. If a family receives state assistance to help offset the cost of child care, a provider can agree to accept that subsidy as partial payment. The parents are responsible for the remaining bill that the subsidy did not cover. It is these subsidy checks (federal money for low income families) that is being assessed union dues. The result will be that licensed providers will no longer accept state assisted families...which is sad. Granholm made this all happen through an executive decision without legislative backing. The bigger question is was she buying the union votes? What is next? Food stamps....subsidy checks for rental payments?

Sincerely,

Peggy Mashke