AUGUSTA - Six-hundred state workers who are not union members received warnings this week from the state Bureau of Employee Relations that they'd better pay their union service fees or face the consequences.

The letter offered a reminder that all state workers must pay the service fees to the Maine State Employees Association whether or not they're part of the union, and it warned that those who fail to pay up can be fired.

"An employee who fails to comply with the terms of this lawfully negotiated Union Security article must be dismissed," the letter said.

Some of those workers who're being forced to contribute are angry over the fees, and the timing of the letter the week before Christmas.

"So many people are upset over this," said Mark Turek, a vocal opponent of the fees. "This has pretty much ruined some holidays."

As part of its collective bargaining agreement with the Maine State Employees Association, the state mandates that all employees pay the service fee. It's about $240 a year for the typical worker, said Tim Belcher, the executive director of the MSEA.

The state started phasing in the service fees four years ago and it became a requirement for all workers about 1½ years ago, said Rebecca Wyke, commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, which includes the Bureau of Employee Relations.

The fees and the contract have been upheld by an independent arbitrator, the Maine Labor Relations Board and the U.S. District Court, Wyke said.

But workers shouldn't worry about getting fired. Before an employee can be dismissed, there would have to be an inquiry, Wyke said. So far, no state employee has been fired for failing to pay the fee, Wyke said.

The fee is meant to reimburse the union for its activities on behalf of workers. But it cannot lawfully include the cost of political activities for those workers who are not members of the union.

Turek, who works for the Department of Tourism, said it's not about the money.
"It's about accountability; and the lack of accountability about where the money goes is disgusting," he said.