Alabama Dues Deduction Prohibition Facing Challenge from Mobile Firefighters

Posted by: Curt Varone April 6, 2011 0

The Mobile, Alabama firefighters’ union is preparing to file suit against the city for refusing to allow union dues to be payroll deducted.

The city’s position is that a new ethics law that became effective in 2011 prohibits them from collecting union dues.  Alabama, a right to work state, enacted strict laws in December 2010 that restrict payroll deductions for union dues, and make it a criminal offense for payroll deducted union dues to be used for political purposes.

Suits challenging the law have already been filed by firefighter unions in Decatur and Cullman, Alabama, as well as by teachers unions. The law allows for union dues to be deducted if the union certifies that it will not use any of the withheld funds for political purposes.

For more on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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