Federal Appeals Court Tosses Union ID Reqs

Dissenting workers do not need to show photo ID to withdraw support

A federal appeals court upheld sanctions against a union that attempted to skirt Michigan's right-to-work law.

A three-judge panel declared that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers could not force workers to present photo identification in order to withdraw union membership and end dues payments. The decision affirmed a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board, the nation's top federal labor regulator, that the IBEW violated the rights of workers by imposing the restrictive withdrawal procedure.

"We conclude that the Board's determination that Local 58's policy unlawfully restricted its members' rights was reasonable," the ruling says.

IBEW did not respond to request for comment or indicate whether it plans to appeal the decision.

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