Sarah Warthemann, a nurse at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills, has filed federal charges against the United Nurses Association of California (UNAC) union. She claims UNAC officials threatened her job if she did not join the union and ignored her attempt to opt out of paying for union political expenses. The charges were filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), with legal assistance from National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation attorneys.
The NLRB enforces federal labor law, including adjudicating disputes between employers, unions, and employees. Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act protects workers’ rights to refrain from supporting union activities.
Warthemann’s charge references CWA Union v. Beck, a Supreme Court case ruling that non-union members cannot be forced to fund union ideological activities as a condition of employment. The General Motors v. NLRB decision also prohibits requiring formal membership for employment.
In California, not a Right to Work state, UNAC can enforce contracts requiring dues payment but limited by Beck to bargaining functions only. In contrast, Right to Work states like Arizona and Nevada make all union support voluntary.
“The radical political agenda promoted by the UNAC union is something I do not—and should not—be compelled to support,” Warthemann stated. “While I’m required to pay union dues…that obligation should not include funding extreme political activities.”
Warthemann reports receiving an email from a UNAC representative insisting on completing a membership form as “a condition of employment.” She claims UNAC ignored her request under Beck and demanded full dues payment without providing financial breakdowns required by Beck.
This issue follows an NLRB-approved settlement with another nurse, Jillian Clausi, who accused UNAC of similar violations. The settlement included commitments from the union regarding dues for Beck objectors.
“It’s no surprise that UNAC…are trying to keep nurses in the dark about their right,” commented Mark Mix, President of National Right to Work Foundation. “Ms. Warthemann’s case is Exhibit A in why all American workers deserve Right to Work protections.”
