Why should any worker be forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment?

Many of those people who support a woman’s “right to choose” do not support a worker’s “right to choose” whether to join a union.

I believe that Maine should become a free-choice, right-to-work state.

About six and one-half million employees across the U.S. are forced, by law, to pay dues or fees to unions. Those workers can be fired for refusing to join a union.

From years 2000 to 2010, employee compensation rose only 0.7 percent. During the same period, the 22 right-to-work states saw an 11.3 percent increase in workers’ wages.

The success of Wisconsin since giving workers the right to choose is exemplary of how unions have restricted economic growth and how giving workers the right to choose can play a huge role in attracting new business and controlling local and state budgets.

There is no doubt that wages and benefits to workers are greater when union bosses are out of the picture. I hope that Maine finally realizes that forced unionism is a deterrent to job growth in the state.

We all have the right to join a union if we want, and we should all have the right to say “no thanks.” Unions should represent their members only, and not those workers who choose not to join.

Individual responsibility is what the Constitution is all about.

I hope the governor and Legislature take action to make Maine a business friendly right-to-work state.

George Mathews, Auburn