Cincinnati UPS employee files charges against Teamsters for unauthorized dues deductions

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GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Christian C. Wilson | Staff Attorney (2020-Present) | NRTWLD&EF, Inc

By Sky Industry News

Feb 19, 2025

A UPS employee in Cincinnati has filed federal charges against the Teamsters Local 100 union, alleging unauthorized deductions of union dues from their paycheck. The worker claims that union leaders took full dues payments without consent and failed to inform them of their right to opt out of union membership.

The anonymous employee lodged the complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), aided by legal support from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. Additionally, they have charged UPS management for its role in facilitating these deductions.

According to a 1963 Supreme Court ruling in NLRB v. General Motors, private sector employees can refuse formal union membership even in states like Ohio that do not have Right to Work laws. Such states allow unions to demand dues from both members and nonmembers. However, under the 1988 Communications Workers of America v. Beck decision, workers who choose not to join a union can only be required to pay dues related to bargaining activities.

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The worker's charges assert that Teamsters officials did not inform them about their rights under these rulings and deducted full dues without obtaining written authorization. "Charging Party does not believe that [they] ever signed a union membership form or a dues check-off authorization," according to the complaint.

Despite independently discovering their Beck rights and requesting reduced dues, the worker alleges that Teamsters officials did not comply or provide necessary financial disclosures required under Beck.

This case is part of broader efforts by workers nationwide challenging Teamsters' control. In late 2024, numerous employees across Northern Ohio voted out Teamsters officials from their workplaces, following similar actions by workers in Georgia, California, Virginia, and New Jersey.

National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix commented on the situation: “In case after case Teamsters union officials are being caught red-handed violating the rights of the very rank-and-file workers they claim to ‘represent.’” He added that this demonstrates why every worker should have Right to Work protections allowing them personal choice regarding union participation and funding.

Mix further stated: “Otherwise...union bosses like Teamsters President Sean O’Brien will continue to abuse their powers.”