Pa. Senate defeats union dues measure

HARRISBURG -- A controversial proposal that would have ended automatic dues deductions and political contributions from unionized public school employees was defeated in the state Senate Wednesday.

An amendment on the issue failed by a vote of 20 -28, when six Republican senators joined with the chamber's Democrats to defeat the measure. The chamber has a narrow 27- 23 Republican majority, but a number of the Republicans are from the more politically moderate Philadelphia suburbs. It was mostly those members who voted against the amendment, along with an Allentown Republican and all the Senate Democrats.

Labor unions and their advocates have said they see the measure as part of a broader, Republican-lead attack on unions and collective bargaining rights.

Calling it “an attack on working Pennsylvanians,” David Broderic, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, said the union was pleased a majority of senators voted against the measure.

Conservative and business groups who support the idea say the dues deductions allows public resources to be used for political purposes.

“[This is] an ethics issue that persists in our commonwealth,” said Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Blair, speaking on the Senate floor.

Funds from union dues cannot be donated to candidates, though they can be used for some types of political advocacy, such as sending a mailing to union members saying an elected official voted for or against an issue. Political contributions, or PAC contributions, from union workers can be directly donated to political candidates.

The underlying bill supporters of the proposal were trying to amend dealt with permitting schools to obtain a prescription from a physician for an epinephrine auto injector “EpiPen” for children who suffer from serious allergies.

The Legislature is in its final session days of the year. Senators will return to the Capitol on Thursday, and House members will be in session Monday. Any legislation that doesn't pass must be re-introduced next year.

Late Wednesday, the Senate voted 36-12 to pass legislation banning pigeon shoots in the state. The bill now returns to the House for consideration.

Source: Post-Gazette