By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt says he does not have to help unions collect dues from some state workers.
Leaders in the union AFSCME have sued Blunt, saying he needs to publish a rule that allows for the collection of union dues.
The union has some collective bargaining agreements with state agencies and wants to collect dues from non-union workers in those offices, too.
The union says the non-union workers benefit from the contracts it negotiates.
But Blunt said in court papers filed Tuesday that the rule would be illegal and that he has no obligation to publish it. He points to a state law that prohibits withholding money from employees' paychecks without their consent.